Solomon's Stables

Temple Mount Chronicles ^ | 2026 | Staff

[Eli Kopter]

Solomon’s Stables is an underground structure located beneath the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Despite its traditional name, there is no historical or archaeological evidence linking it directly to King Solomon (reigned circa 970–931 BCE). The name originates from medieval Crusader traditions, as they believed the vast underground halls were once used to house the horses of King Solomon. The structure consists of a series of vaulted halls supported by massive stone pillars, showcasing a sophisticated architectural style that dates back to the Herodian period (circa 37 BCE–70 CE).

The stables were historically part of the Temple Mount’s substructure, built to support the vast esplanade above. During Herod the Great’s reign, significant expansions were made to the Temple Mount, involving the construction of massive retaining walls and underground vaulted spaces. The structure was likely designed to create a level platform for the Second Temple, allowing for an expanded area of worship. The walls and pillars are composed of large ashlar stones, characteristic of Herodian masonry, and are arranged in a series of parallel vaults that extend over an area of approximately 5,000 square meters.

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TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: crusades; elasqa; godsgravesglyphs; jerusalem; lox; middleages; romanempire; secondtemple; templemount

[Eli Kopter]

I posted this because I am one of the few non-Muslims who was able to examine the Solomon's Stables under the El Asqa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. I wanted it to be of record as it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get permission to investigate these days. I was able to survey it in 1985, with my friend and Colleague Vendyl Jones of Texas. I was the Excavation Geologist on several Excavations in the Qumran Area and around Jerusalem in the 1980's. I did want to pass on some of my observations when I entered the Mosque from the southeastern Wall of the Compound when we were able to pay an alternative entry fee to explore it. I was incredibly surprised to find the stables at that time, which were essentially built by the Crusaders under the Temple Mount. Their were several hundred stalls their, undisturbed, with the mounting rings still attached. I don't know what became of those treasures as the Waqf did not disclose or allow any Excavations there. Also, the room itself was massive, and when I saw it, before the changes made by the Muslims, it existed all the way to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. Everything that that Josephus wrote about it seemed to be confirmed. The ceilings were about 30 feet in height, and the length from east to west was easily 100 yards, and 50 yards from north to south. I was shocked to see that protruding from the northwestern ceiling were the original "Cedars of Lebanon", which the entire Solomon Temple Structure was braced by. They were massive and at least 3 feet across, and 10 feet in height and extending into the Temple Mount to the North. The original 3 Hulda Gates were located there and were still present, not on the Present South Wall. I wanted to share this information while I still can, as the entire room was redesigned and changed at a later date by the Waqf. They destroyed many, many Temple Artifacts because they were always afraid of recognizing the Jewish Ownership of the entire Temple Mount. Sadly, I was not permitted to take any pictures of the area, but when you see what really supports ALL of the Temple Mount that is South of the Dome of the Rock, you realize that one good earthquake could take it all down. I post this for information only as I chose never to publish my findings at that location for obvious reasons, and all that I worked with have passed away and/or are headed that way.

[z3n]

It is curious to me that such enormously large areas can be built underneath such heavy loads and withstand thousands of years without collapse (or partial failures). How thick were the supporting columns. How far apart were they spaced?

[Eli Kopter]

I counted at least 4 columns, nearly side by side, and the beams were easily 3-5 feet across, 10 feet tall, and extended from the South to the North, in front of what became the Dome of the Rock. It would have supported the Original Temple Compound from the Rock (Mount Moriah) to what became the Western Wall that exists today. Yes, I was absolutely flabberghasted by the enormous size of the beams.

[Reddy]

“Present day entrance to the so-called Stables of Solomon (now used as a mosque).“

Coming soon to a neighborhood near you.

[z3n]

Was there any arching to the beams across their spans?
In other words, was their any curvature the the vaulting distributing the loads, or was it somewhat linear?

I take it we don’t have photos of these spaces.

[z3n]

Nevermind. It’s amazing what a click can solve. *hides*

It’s all vaulting.

[Cronos]

Any carbon dating?

[Dick Bachert]

THE MOST FRIGHTENING, FACT-FILLED ISLAM VIDEO YOU WILL SEE!
SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaYvlzDr3-4

[Eli Kopter]

I certainly hope so, but I doubt it. If you know the history, the Temple Mount was turned over to the Jordanian Wafq after the Six Day War, and they had never allowed a serious study of that. It had been Excavated by several British and French Archaelogists before the Israelis recaptured the City, but since I have not been able to enter there since the 1980s, I have no clue as to how much real Science has been done. I worked with the Israelis on the Dead Sea Scrolls on occasion, but Israeli Scientists are not welcome in the Temple Area by the local authorities (even Israeli, because it causes international incidents). So sadly, I cannot answer that question. The City of David Excavation, However, which has examined all parts around the Temple Mount and under it, (except for Muslim areas), have done every bit of Science you can, including GPR, Carbon Dating, and many other techniques. I had the pleasure of seeing the Excavations by Shiloh before they were made public, and when they started in the 1980s. It is incredible, and ANYONE who denies the ownership of the Temple Mount by Israel are political Terrorists.

[Eli Kopter]

They were handling the load of the entire Temple Structure, as written in the Bible and Josephus. I was astounded, and no, they weren’t arched, but sitting side by side (much like someone’s patio was constructed, except instead of 2x6s, they were 3’x10’ and at least twenty feet long before they extended to the North under the Temple Mount. I was not allowed to examine them up close and personal, however, so mine is just an observation and not verified.

[SunkenCiv]

[ComputerGuy]

Stewball

[captmar-vell]

Thanks for sharing your information, very interesting,

I visited the Temple Mount in October 1984. A very different world at the time. I was able to go inside the Dome of the Rock and walk around without any complaints. Also under Wilson’s Arch where you could only go so far back at the time for what has now all been opened up.

I recall believing that the Holy Temple stood just to the South of the Dome, despite the traditional belief, where I figured the reason it was stated as being at the Dome location was only so the Islamic waqf wouldn’t go about making changes to the actual area if they suspected another location. They may destroy evidence or remove or build something to obscure it. I believed it smart to keep it secret. Which is what I still believe, the Sanhedrin knows where it stood.

Around that same time, Asher Kaufman had written about a possible Northern location near the Dome of the Spirits for the location of the Most Holy Place. I thought it was too near where the Antonia Fortress must have stood. It was aligned with the Eastern Gate though.

I later heard about the Tuvia Sagiv research that placed it opposite the Western Wall with the Most Holy Place near the Al Kas (the Cup) Fountain because of the Baalbek Lebanon Temple to Jupiter Roman architecture connections. I still mostly believe this or even slightly further South on the platform.

What lies beneath? If we had more information as you’re sharing here, it would tell us all the truth. Foundation stones and enormous amounts of water were required. I believe it had to be at a lower elevation as a former threshing floor and for the free flowing water as required by scripture.

[A strike]

BCE/CE is just bullSchiff/bullshiite from batguano atheists,
and a scum woke FR mod ..

[sauropod]

.

[sauropod]

.

[Cronos]

Though don’t these underground structures date from the time of King Herod the great, not earlier?

[Repeal The 17th]

BCE Before Christian Era
CE Christian Era

Easy Peasy

[Repeal The 17th]

You have been blessed to have lived such a very interesting life.