-Unlike the rest of the photos on
BiblePlaces.com, some of the photos on this page are recent and not
included in the current edition of the Pictorial Library-
Southern Wall of Temple Mount
Recently
Israeli archaeologists have warned of the imminent collapse of the
southern wall of the Temple Mount. It should be noted that the
portion in danger of collapse is actually a relatively small part of the
313-meter long wall.
Repairing the Wall
The
wall has been weakened because of Muslim construction of a mosque in the
underground area of the Temple Mount usually called "Solomon's
Stables." The removal of material and supports from the inside
has created a visible protrusion in the wall.
The Bulge
The
bulge is clearly visible from the southeastern corner of the Temple
Mount. Most of the bulge is hidden behind the scaffolding, but the
wall's curvature can be seen in the center of this photograph, just to
the right of the scaffolding.
Close-Up
This
image shows the bulge even more clearly. The protrusion begins just
a little below the midpoint of the picture and goes up to nearly the top
edge of the image. Some suggest that the only way to prevent the
wall from collapse is to tear it down in a controlled manner and to
rebuild it.
View from West
You
can pick out the base of the bulge where the shadow starts at the
bottom. The shadow corresponds with the bulge for a short distance
before the scaffolding obscures it.
Close-Up
This
is the same photo as above, just closer in so the bulge is more
obvious. You can see the tombs on the Mt. of Olives in the
background and the outward slant of the wall.
New Stones
Under a deal worked out between Israel and the Waqf (Muslim religious
authority in charge of Temple Mount), a Jordanian team began repairs
on the wall. In this photo, the replacement stones are easy to pick
out.
A New Bulge
After repairs were underway on the southern wall, a new bulge in the
eastern wall was detected in early 2004. The photograph at right
shows the location of the two protrusions (A is the earlier bulge on the
southern wall; B is the more recent bulge on the eastern wall).
Both of them are located adjacent to the new mosque built underground in
the area traditionally known as "Solomon's Stables."
Eastern Wall
The photo at left shows the area of the bulge on the eastern wall from
the south (the southeastern corner is visible). Scaffolding has
been erected to begin repairs of the wall. As before,
debate over the cause of the problem is heated. See this
Jerusalem Post article for more details.
Repair Finished
After a number of years, work was completed on the stone replacement on
the southern bulge. The new stonework is easily visible from a
distance.
Jordanian Expert Mosque Wall Safe
(Miami.com) Most recent report claiming that the wall is not in danger
of collapse. Don't believe everything you read.
