Undeterred however, I’ve brought together a collection of photos of the Dome of the Rock seen from anywhere outside. I think they have a certain charm as a record of my wanderings around gates and rooftops…

Peering in from Bab al-Qattanin

From Al-Quds University’s terrace, a viewpoint recommended by the Lonely Planet. Not sure why.

Another gate - Bab al-Atim and in sepia, just for a change

My first gate stop, Bab al-Sisila. Actually taken by a kind policeman who volunteered to reel off a few shots for me from inside the gate. The result is pretty good.

From Bab al-Sisila II, aka what I could actually see. No amount of photoshop-ing is going to get rid of that red fire hydrant.

An alternative view from the rooftops of the Suq

Descending into the old town from Herod’s Gate

Cheesy I know, but think of the effort that went into this

You can also see them in the photo galleries in the usual way…

…from the Bay of Naples to the Gulf of Hammamet.