Athena Review Image Archive ™
Jerusalem: Al Aqsa, North Porch, Inscription 1217-18 (photo 1938-42)
Jerusalem: Al Aqsa, Porch inscription 1217-18 (photo: DAP 24-554 /IAA)
The North Porch or Portico of Al Aqsa was first built by Templars during the Crusader period (AD 1099-1187). The Porch was expanded in the 13th-16th centuries under successive sultans, recorded by insciptions on the north facade.
This photo (DAP 24-554) of the AD 1217-18 inscription over the North Porch's Central Bay was taken during 1938-1942 testing by the Palestine Department of Antiquities (DAP).
The Arabic inscription at left, somewhat worn and incompletely legible, reads:
"Bismillah
... Was built this ... [facade of?].... the porticos in the reign of
our master and lord the Sultan al Malik al Mu`adhdham ... son of al
Malik al `Adil Sayf ad dunya wad din ... and that was in the year 614
(AD 1217-18)..."
DAP photos, drawings, and R. W. Hamilton`s 1942 report are in the Archives at the Israeli Archaeology Authority (iaa-archives-org.il).
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