Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina — Webcam Online
Sacred Medina and the Prophet's Mosque
Medina is a city that Muslims around the world call Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, which translates as "The Enlightened City." Here, in 622 CE, after migrating from Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad founded the first mosque in the history of Islam — Masjid an-Nabawi. Today it is the second most important shrine in Islam after the Kaaba in Mecca, and the webcam with a view of the mosque allows you to see this place in real time from anywhere in the world.
Medina is located in the western part of Saudi Arabia, 400 kilometers north of Mecca. The city sits at an altitude of about 600 meters above sea level, in an oasis with palm groves. The climate here is hot and arid, but thanks to modern technology, pilgrims and visitors feel comfortable even in the midday heat.
Construction History and Expansions
When the Prophet Muhammad arrived in Medina after the Hijra, he built the mosque next to his house. Originally, it was a modest structure measuring approximately 35 by 30 meters, with an earthen floor and a roof made of palm leaves supported by date palm trunks. It was here, in the eastern part of the courtyard, that the room of his wife Aisha was located, where he was buried in 632.
Over the following millennium and a half, the mosque was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded. Every ruler considered it their duty to increase its size and adorn it. Ottoman sultans added elegant minarets and marble columns. Saudi kings carried out major reconstructions in the 1950s and 1990s, and in 2012, a new grand expansion was announced that will increase the mosque's capacity to 1.6 million worshippers.
The Green Dome and Rawdah — The Heart of the Shrine
On the live broadcast from the Nabawi mosque, the famous Green Dome — the Dome of the Prophet — takes center place. It rises above the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as the first two righteous caliphs — Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab. Originally, the dome was not green — it acquired its distinctive color only in the 16th century under the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
Next to the dome is the Rawdah ash-Sharifa — the "Noble Garden," which the Prophet Muhammad called a part of Paradise. This is the sacred space between his grave and the minbar (pulpit), measuring approximately seven to 25 meters. Access here is strictly regulated, especially during the Umrah and Hajj seasons — pilgrims receive permission through a special mobile app for one or more obligatory prayers.
Architectural Features of the Courtyard
The courtyard of the Nabawi mosque is a unique engineering structure. It features 250 retractable umbrellas, designed by German architect Mahmoud Bodo Rasch of SL Rasch GmbH in collaboration with Buro Happold. Each umbrella has a built-in ventilation fan to cool the air — in the hot climate of Saudi Arabia, this is a true salvation for thousands of pilgrims.
To the north of the main building, a second courtyard is attached, clad in white marble. Pavilions adjoin the eastern and western wings, and on the northern side is the door of Umar ibn al-Khattab. Inside the mosque are six mysterious columns marking especially sacred places where, according to tradition, the Prophet performed his prayers.
Religious Significance for Muslims
The Nabawi mosque holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims. According to a hadith, whoever performs forty prayers here without missing a single one will be saved from the fire of Hell, its punishment, and from hypocrisy. That is why many pilgrims who come to Mecca for Hajj or Umrahобязательно visit Medina to pray in the Prophet's Mosque.
A prayer in Masjid an-Nabawi, according to Islamic tradition, is a thousand times more valuable than a prayer in any other mosque, except for the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. This is the place where the Prophet Muhammad spent the last years of his life, where he prayed, taught his companions, and managed the affairs of the Muslim community.
Pilgrimage and Seasons
The webcam in Medina shows how life around the mosque changes throughout the year. During the month of Ramadan, the courtyard fills with worshippers performing i'tikaf (spiritual retreat), and during the Hajj days, the flow of pilgrims becomes especially intense. At this time, access to the Rawdah is limited, and many pilgrims wait for hours for their turn to pray in the sacred place.
Umrah — the "lesser pilgrimage" — can be performed at any time of year, and many Muslims come to Medina specifically for this. The live stream allows you to see how people in white ihram garments fill the courtyard, performing tawaf around the Green Dome and reciting prayers.
What You Can See on the Camera
The live broadcast from the webcam opens up a view of the spacious marble courtyard of the Nabawi mosque. In the foreground is the snow-white square with characteristic golden reflections, surrounded by rows of street lamps in Islamic style. In the evening, they turn on, creating a warm golden illumination.
In the background rises the mosque's facade with ten tall minarets — one at each corner and six more added during the latest expansions. At the center of the composition is the recognizable Green Dome, surrounded by smaller white domes. Along the building stretch arcades with marble columns, creating shade for worshippers.
In the courtyard, you can always see people — pilgrims in traditional Arab clothing: men in white thobes and women in hijabs. During prayer hours, the square fills with orderly rows of worshippers, and between prayers, you can see those who simply sit reading the Quran or enjoying the atmosphere of the sacred place. The real-time webcam conveys all this grandeur and tranquility of the second holiest site in Islam.
