Al Aqsa Mosque, situated on the Jerusalem’s Temple Mount is the first headquarters of the Knights Templar. For the Crusaders it was also famous as the Temple of Solomon. They called it like that, because it was built on the top of the original Temple’s ruins. Because of the Temple’s location, the Knights decided to take their name of Templar.

The First Crusade in 1099 was followed by many European pilgrims, who wanted to visit the so called “Holy Places”. The city of Jerusalem was well secured, but the rest part of the Outremer wasn’t. And there was abounding of Bandits during that time. So, unfortunately the pilgrims were routinely and ruthlessly slaughtered by them, while attempting to reach the Holy Land, passing through the Jaffa coastline. Sometimes the killed were hundreds.

The reason of creating the monastic order was the protection of the pilgrims. The proposal was given around 1119, by two of the veterans(relatives), who survived after the First Crusade. They were French knights, and their names were Hugues de Payens and Godfrey de Saint-Omer. During this time, a King of Jerusalem was Baldwin II.Therefore, their request was agreed. The defined space for a headquarters, chosen by the King was in the AL Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.

Because the Temple of Solomon was believed to have been on these ruins, the Temple Mount had a great mystique. Therefore, the order took its name of “Templar” Knights, or Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon.

At the beginning, the order was consisted of only nine knights. They didn’t have enough financial recourse, and to survive were compelled to rely on donations. Two knights riding on one horse with the purpose to emphasis the poverty of the Order, was their first emblem.

However the impoverishment of the Order didn’t last too long. Bernard of Clairvaux was a very powerful advocate and vary important Church figure, as also a nephew of the knights, who founded the Order. So, with his support, the Knights Templar of Jerusalem was officially endorsed by the Church. Since then, the Order received undivided support in each attitude.