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City of Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock(fig.15) is a significant Islamic shrine with a rich
architectural and historical legacy. Under Abd al-Malik's leadership, the Umayyad Caliphate

commissioned its construction in 691–692 CE during the Second Fitna. Its architecture and
mosaics, which are modeled after neighboring Byzantine churches and palaces, show the

integration of Byzantine influences. The main structure is still octagonal, despite exterior

modifications during the Ottoman and modern eras, most notably the addition of a
gold-plated roof in 1959–1961 and again in 1993.
Thesis Report V-SPARC VIT

fig.15: Exterior view of The Dome of the Rock fig.16: Cross section of the
Dome(Source: Wikipedia)
(Source: Wikipedia)

The structure's center is crowned by a 20-meter-diameter dome (fig.16) that is mounted atop
an elevated circular drum and supported by sixteen four-tiered columns. The central drum is

surrounded by the octagonal arcade, which has 24 piers and columns. This creates an inner
ambulatory that encircles the sacred rock. The exterior walls, which encircle the inner

ambulatory, are octagonal and roughly 18 meters wide by 11 meters high. Exquisite mosaic,
faience, and marble decorations that have been added over several centuries to the dome's

interior showcase elaborate Qur'anic inscriptions that differ from the modern standard text.

3.2.4.2.2 The Blue Mosque, Istanbul
The Blue Mosque(fig.17), officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, stands as an

iconic monument of Ottoman architecture in Istanbul. Constructed between 1609 and 1617
during Ahmed I's rule, it remains a functioning mosque and a major tourist attraction. The

mosque features a classical Ottoman layout, showcasing a central dome surrounded by four

semi-domes over the prayer hall, accompanied by a large courtyard and six minarets(fig.18).
Internally, the mosque is adorned with thousands of Iznik tiles and painted floral motifs,

predominantly in blue hues, earning it the popular name "Blue Mosque."(fig.19) This
exquisite blend of architectural grandeur and artistic embellishments makes it a distinctive

symbol of Ottoman heritage and a beloved landmark in Istanbul.