Al-Aqsa Mosque features a central large portico

Al-Aqsa Mosque consists of a central large portico with a roof supported by marble pillars. It goes from north to south and is covered by a gable roof plated with colorful lead. It ends in the south in a large and awesome spherical dome supported by four stone pillars creating four corner triangles, which form the base that carries that dome’s neck.

The dome itself consists of two internal and external layers (like the Dome of the Rock). Its interior is decorated with a beautiful mosaic of faience, and its outer parts are covered with golden brass plates (like the Dome of the Rock), but it was recently replaced with lead plates as part of the renovation work carried out by The Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock Restoration Committee.

The western and eastern sides of the central portico are surrounded by three parallel lower porticos. The western porticos are covered with crossed cupolas carried by the arches and stone pillars that were established during the Mamluki period.

The eastern section is covered with concrete roofs supported by stone arches and pillars, and they were rebuilt by the Supreme Islamic Council (1938-1943 C.E.).

The Aqsa Mosque has seven northern gates leading to the seven aisles. There is a portico in front of the northern façade built during the Ayyubi period from east to west. This portico consists of seven stone arches carried by stone pillars.

These seven gates were replaced with two other doors in the western and eastern sides of the Mosque in recent periods.