Tiberias, Israel

The Great Mosque that was discovered in the center of Tiberias’s Old City was established in the mid-7th century. This reconstruction reflects its latest stage of use, in the 11th century. In the 8th century, the mosque’s broad-house structure consisted of three aisles running parallel to the qiblah wall, which faced Mecca; a transept (passageway) that led to the main section of the mosque, where there was a mihrab (prayer niche), minbar (pulpit), and maqsurah (enclosure for the ruler and his entourage); and a courtyard surrounded by columns. A wide variety of lighting devices were found in the excavations, including glass oil lamps and decorated metal suspension chains.