Umayyad Mosque

The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, was located in the Rich District of Damascus, and considered the fourth-holiest place in the Islamic religion.

It was constructed on the site of an ancient Christian basilica dedicated to John the Baptist between 706 and 715. The mosque was especially known for its three minarets, the Minaret of the Bride, the Minaret of Jesus and the Minaret of Quayt Bey.

Trivia

• Each of the three minarets of the Umayyad Mosque serves as a view point. The highest view point in Damascus is located atop the Minaret of the Bride. However, in reality, the highest minaret of the Umayyad Mosque is the Minaret of Jesus, which appears rather small in comparison in the game.
• During Damascus' Roman period, the ancient building served as a temple for Jupiter.
• In 1196, a mausoleum for Saladin was built next to the northwest corner of the mosque.
• After the Ottomans conquered Damascus in 1516, Selim I attended the first Friday prayer in the Umayyad Mosque.

Gallery

• 
  Altaïr watching the inner courtyard from the rooftops
• 
  The Minaret of Jesus
• 
  The inner courtyard with the mosque's cupola

Reference

• Assassin's Creed