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Western Wall of Temple Mount: Detail, limestone blocks of the kotel

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of Palestine (includes present-day Israel)
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

The Wall consists of 45 stone courses, 28 of them above ground and 17 underground. The first seven visible layers are from the Herodian period. This section of wall is built from enormous meleke limestone stones.

According to Jewish tradition and scripture, (2 Chronicles 3:1-2) the first temple was built by Solomon the son of David in 957 BCE and destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The second was constructed under the auspices of Zerubbabel in 516 BCE. Around 19 BCE, Herod the Great further expanded the Mount and rebuilt the temple (still known as the second temple, destroyed by the Roman Empire in 70 CE.) In addition to renovating and enlarging the Temple, he artificially expanded the area, which resulted in an enlarged platform. Today's Western Wall formed part of the retaining perimeter wall of this platform. The Western Wall commonly refers to a 187 foot (57 m) exposed section of ancient wall situated on the western flank of the Temple Mount. This section faces a large plaza (created 1967) and is set aside for prayer. According to Jewish Law, one is obligated to grieve and rend one's garment upon visiting the Western Wall and seeing the desolate site of the Temple, hence the popular name Wailing Wall.

Images

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Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment
Related Location
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/vd66vx0549r
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

Contact Us

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of Palestine (includes present-day Israel)

Church of the Nativity: Entrance to the crypt beneath the nave; the Grotto of the Nativity

Church of the Nativity: Entrance to the crypt beneath the nave; the Grotto of the Nativity

Church of the Nativity: Detail, entrance

Church of the Nativity: Detail, entrance

Western Wall of Temple Mount: Jewish men at prayer at the Western Wall

Western Wall of Temple Mount: Jewish men at prayer at the Western Wall

Church of Saint Anne: Overall view, imaged from lantern slide

Church of Saint Anne: Overall view, imaged from lantern slide

Sabastiyah; Temple of Augustus: Stairs and platform of the Temple of Augustus

Sabastiyah; Temple of Augustus: Stairs and platform of the Temple of Augustus

Mar Saba: View of the enormous support ramparts on the cliff face with the monastery on top, taken from the village halfway up the cliff

Mar Saba: View of the enormous support ramparts on the cliff face with the monastery on top, taken from the village halfway up the cliff

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