The Dome Of The Rock In Light Of The Development Of Concentric Martyria In Jerusalem: Architecture And Architectural Iconography

The Dome of the Rock, traditionally studied for its significance in Islamic art, is recontextualized within the broader architectural and liturgical traditions of Jerusalem. This study reveals that its design shares key features with early Byzantine concentric martyria, such as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (ca. 333), particularly in how liturgical developments influenced their plans over time. The research employs a comparative typological analysis to examine architectural modifications and iconography, drawing on Oleg Grabar's pioneering approach to Islamic art. It also highlights the role of the Church of the Kathisma in the cult of Mary Theotokos, linking Marian feasts to the evolution of Jerusalem's sacred architecture.

Avner, R. (2011). The Dome Of The Rock In Light Of The Development Of Concentric Martyria In Jerusalem: Architecture And Architectural Iconography. Muqarnas, Volume 27, 31–50. https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004185111.i-448.17