Solomon's Stables is an underground vaulted area located beneath the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) in Jerusalem. Despite its name, the structure has no historical connection to King Solomon and was not originally built as stables.
History and Etymology: The name "Solomon's Stables" is medieval, dating to the Crusader period (12th century CE). Crusaders incorrectly attributed many ancient structures in Jerusalem to King Solomon, an important figure in their religious tradition. During their rule, they reportedly cleaned out the area and possibly used it to house horses, giving rise to the popular, though inaccurate, name.
Archaeological and historical consensus indicates that the substructures were primarily built by Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE to support the massive expansion of the Temple Mount platform. Herod dramatically enlarged the Temple Mount, and the southeastern corner required significant fill and support structures to create the large, flat plaza required for his grand temple complex. The vaults served to level the ground and support the immense weight above.
Description: The area consists of twelve rows of vaulted arches, supported by eighty-eight pillars. These substructures were designed to bridge the natural slope of the Kidron Valley and create a level surface for the Temple Esplanade above. The construction uses large, finely dressed Herodian stones, characteristic of the era. The vast interior creates a large, echoing space.
Later Uses: After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the area lay largely unused or filled with debris for centuries. During the early Islamic period, the substructures were generally neglected. As mentioned, the Crusaders are believed to have cleared and utilized the space, possibly as stables for their cavalry, or as storage.
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the area underwent significant renovation by the Islamic Waqf, the custodian of the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. It has been transformed into a large prayer hall, often referred to as the Marwani Mosque (also transliterated as al-Musalla al-Marwani) or simply the Southern Prayer Hall. This renovation and its increased use, particularly for large congregations during Islamic holy days, have been a source of contention due to concerns over archaeological preservation and the impact on underlying antiquities.
Significance: "Solomon's Stables" is a prime example of Herodian engineering and construction. It provides crucial insight into the scale and ambition of Herod's Temple Mount project. Today, it remains a significant architectural feature and a functioning prayer space within one of the world's most historically and religiously sensitive sites.