Overview

The Arched Gates (البوائك), also known as Qanatir (قناطر) or The Scales (الموازين) are gateways surrounding the Dome of the Rock Platform. Each gateway comprises of a number of stone or marble columns that are linked together through arches and are connected to a staircase to facilitate worshipers' access to the four-meter-high platform.

There are two arched gates located on the north, two on the south, three on the west and one on the east.

According to legend, the scales will be suspended on these arches or in place of these arches on the Day of Judgement. Additionally, the gates serve as a decorative function.

These arches also represent the different eras Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa has witnessed over the centuries, such as the Umayyad, Mamluk, Abbasids, and Fatimid eras.

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Reference

Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs (passia.org)‎
‎Madain Project (madainproject.com)