Dr. Clarke, on viewing this mosque, observes, that “the sight was so
grand, that he did not hesitate to pronounce it the most magnificent
piece of architecture in the Turkish empire, and considered it,
externally, far superior to the mosque of St. Sophia, in
Constantinople.” By the sides of the spacious area in which it stands,
are certain vaulted remains, which plainly denote the masonry of the
ancients; and he thinks that evidence may be adduced to prove, that they
belonged to the foundations of Solomon’s temple. He observed also that
reticulated stucco, which is commonly considered as an evidence of Roman
work. Phocas believed the whole space surrounding this building to be
the ancient area of the temple; and Golius, in his notes upon the
Astronomy of Alferganes, says that the whole foundation of the original
edifice remained. As to the mosque itself, there is no building at
Jerusalem that can be compared with it, either in beauty or riches. The
lofty Saracenic pomp so nobly displayed in the style of the building;
its numerous arcades; its capacious dome, with all the stately
decorations of the place; its extensive area, paved and variegated with
the choicest marbles; the extreme neatness observed in every avenue
toward it; and, lastly, the sumptuous costume observable in the dresses
of all the eastern devotees, passing to and from the sanctuary, make it
altogether one of the finest sights the Mohammedans have to boast.