£46 
of the precipices of the torrent of Cedron to the east, 
and upon the edge of a ravine, which separates Mount 
Sion to the south. 
The principal part of the temple is composed of two 
piles of magnificent buildings, which may be regarded 
as two distinct temples by their respective situation; 
but they form together one symmetrical and consistent 
whole. The one is called El Aksa, and the other El 
Sahhara. 
El Aksa. 
El Aksa is composed of seven naves, supported by 
pillars and columns: at the head of the centre nave is a 
fine cupola. Two other naves branch off right and left, 
at right angles with the principal body of the edifice. 
Before this principal body is a portico of seven arches 
in front, and one in depth, supported by square pillars. 
The central arch, which corresponds with the centre of 
the edifice, has also incrusted columns, adherent to the 
pillars. 
The great central nave of the Aksa is about 162 feet 
long, and 32 feet wide. It is supported on each side by 
seven arches lightly pointed, resting upon cylindrical 
pillars, in the form of columns, but without any archi- 
tectural proportion, with foliaged capitals which do not 
belong to any order. The fourth pillar to the right upon 
entering is octangular, and enormously thick. It is 
called the Pillar of Sidi Omar. The cylindrical pillars 
are more than two feet and a half in diameter, and six- 
teen feet high, including their bases and irregular capi- 
tals. The octagonal pillar, which is without capital, is\ 
more than six and a half feet in diameter, and equal 
with the others in height. The walls rise thirteen feet 
