Islamic Museum of Temple Mount, Jerusalem

Sited on the Temple Mount toward its Moroccan gate (or to the right of Al-Aqsa Mosque, this quaint museum stands as one of the country's oldest, holding a remarkable collection of rare artifacts spanning ten periods of Islamic history. From 16th-century copper soup kettles to coins, stained glass windows, and iron doors hailing from the era of Suleiman the Magnificent, the exhibits offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich heritage of the region.

Among the highlights are a cannon used to announce the end of Ramadan, a diverse array of weapons, along with unique items like a wax tree trunk and the charred remnants of a minbar crafted by Nur ad-Din Zangi in the 1170s, tragically destroyed in a 1969 incident involving an Australian tourist. Additionally, poignant relics such as the blood-stained clothing of 17 Palestinians who lost their lives during the 1990 Temple Mount riots serve as sobering reminders of the site's tumultuous history.

Also of note are the museum's 600 copies of the Qur'an, generously donated to the Al-Aqsa Mosque over the centuries by caliphs, sultans, scholars, and private individuals. Each copy is a unique treasure, varying in size, calligraphy, and ornamentation. One such copy is a handwritten Qur'ans attributed to the great-great-grandson of Muhammad, while another is written in ancient Kufic script dating back to the 8th-9th century. In addition, there is a massive Qur'an measuring 100 by 90 centimeters, dating to the 14th century.

Tip:
The admission fee also allow entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, contingent upon the prevailing security conditions at the time of visitation