A detailed, top-down view of an ancient, concentric architectural floor plan with multiple levels and chambers.

Floor plan: Herod's Jerusalem Temple featured a concentric, ascending floorplan, symbolizing increasing holiness and restricted access. It began with the vast outer Court of the Gentiles, open to everyone, surrounding a low barrier (the Soreg). Beyond this, progressively higher courts were restricted to ritually pure Jews: first the Court of the Women, then the Court of Israel for men, and finally the Court of the Priests around the great altar. At the very center stood the Temple building, containing the Holy Place and the innermost Holy of Holies, accessible only to the High Priest. See more