Dome of the Chain, Temple Mount, Jerusalem
Above, left: the Dome of the Chain dwarfed by the Dome of the Rock; right: closer view of the Dome of the Chain.
The Dome of the Chain is a small dome next to the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It was built around the same time as its famous neighbor, but its purpose is not entirely clear.
The dome owes its name to the legend that Solomon hung a chain from the roof and those who swore falsely while holding the chain would be struck by lightning.
The Dome of the Chain's small dome is supported by 17 columns, all of which can be seen from any point. The earliest description of the Dome of the Chain (903 AD) says that it has 20 columns, so the original form has been significantly modified, probably by the Mamluk sultan Baybars in the 13th century.
It is not clear why the Dome of the Chain was built. One theory is that it was the model for the Dome of the Rock, but the two have little in common; this is a legend that first appeared in the 15th century.
Another possibility is that it served as a treasury. This is more likely, but cannot be verified. The legend associated with its name (see above) supports this hypothesis, as superstitious fear of the place would serve as protection.
Another theory emphasizes the fact the Dome of the Chain stands on the approximate center of the Haram area and concludes that its function is to mark the omphalos (navel) of the Haram, which may also have been considered the navel of the world.
- Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide, 4th ed. (1998), pp. 85-89.
Left Dome of the Chain photo by 'phauly' at Flickr, under CC; right Dome of the Chain photo © HolyLandPhotos.com.
