Steps and arched entrances leading down to the Marwani prayer hall.Photograph · 2007
Thomazzo·CC BY 3.0· Resized and converted to WebP for the web; cropped in cards. Original image license retained.
Overview
A vaulted lower hall whose massive stone supports carry the southeastern courtyard. [1][2]
Al-Marwani occupies the southeast substructure of the sanctuary. Rows of piers and arches support the courtyard above: this is a lower architectural level, not a separate building standing beside Al-Qibli. [1][2]
The Awqaf account describes earlier circulation and storage, Crusader use as stables, and rehabilitation as a prayer hall in 1996. The historical name “Solomon’s Stables” records a later naming tradition; it does not establish who built the substructure. [1]
Details & spaces
Explore the named elements associated with this place.
Cradle of Isa
قبة مهد عيسى
A small commemorative chamber in the southeastern part of the lower complex. Its name associates the place with Isa (Jesus); this association does not establish the location of his birth. Awqaf describes a rectangular room with a domed feature and prayer niches. [3]
PASSIA · Jerusalem Awqaf · Hashemite Fund · Printed pp. 54–65; map legend on PDF page 35
Consulted 2026-10-13
Custodial guide from an Islamic perspective. Used for the baseline inventory and schematic relative positions; its access descriptions are historical, not live advice.
About this record
Relative positions are illustrative; this is a heritage atlas, not a walking route or live access map.
Sources differ in their account of the commemorative name of Mahd Isa. The page identifies the chamber without adopting an unsupported origin story.
