The Umayyad Palaces The archaeological excavations below the Temple Mount revealed the vestiges of five palaces, probably built by Jerusalem's Umayyad rulers. The area of each palace was 1.25 to 1.75 acres and each had a similar plan: a central courtyard with stoas around it, a passage to the stoas, and elongated rooms with pillars and arches to support the ceiling. Some of the buildings had two ...