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pilgrims come from all over the world to visit and worship at these hallowed locations, and the Bahá’ Holy Places and Gardens in Akko and Haifa serve as their spiritual centers. These websites are a gift to humanity and available to every single person. Many people go these exceptional locations often in order to witness the seasonal changes and recapture the calming serenity and uplifting spirit they once experienced there. In recognition of their “great worldwide importance” as holy sites and destinations for pilgrimage , the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa and ‘Akko were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2008.
History
Some of Israel’s most spectacular and striking sights are the Bahai Gardens in Haifa. The monotheistic Bahá’ Faith, which has its roots in nineteenth-century Persia, stresses the spiritual oneness of all people.The Garden Terraces of the Bahá’ Faith may be found all throughout Israel, but those in and surrounding Haifa’s Shrine of the Bábon Mount Carmel are among the most popular. The gardens were built by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba starting in 1987, and the terraces were opened to the public in 2001. They provide extremely stunning and tranquil environs with their distinctive architecture and amazing details that resemble the gardens of ancient Persia.
THE BAHAI FAITH
The Bahai religion is a recent development. Siyyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi, a Persian, established it 200 years ago. He identified himself as the prophet Bab, whose name in Arabic means “gate” and who intended to promote his ideas. Despite gaining tens of thousands of followers, Bab was despised by the Shia clergy. Eventually, only six years after he started his campaign, he was put to death. Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri, who adopted the name Baha’u’llah, carried on his work. He was banished to the Ottoman Empire and was also pursued by the clergy.
BAHAI IN holy land
There are three distinct parts of the Bahai Gardens. The German Colony is accessible from the bottom part. The grounds around the Bab’s shrine, which has a gilded cap, are shown in the center part. The entrance gate, where the tours begin, and the Louis Promenade are both close to the top part. The Bahai Gardens stretch about a kilometer from the German Colony’s lowest gate to the main gateway at the top. There are 19 flower-filled terraces with water features and little sculptures.
The international collective body of the faith meets in the Bahai World Center in Haifa, which is a part of the Bahai Gardens but is off-limits to tourists. Nine chosen leaders are in charge of this body. The Bahai Gardens employ a large number of Bahais on special worker’s visas. They were farmers practicing their beliefs.
The Bahai Gardens are divided into nine concentric circles, each with flowers, miniature trees, sculptures, lakes, and water fountains. There are woodland areas surrounding the gardens that are intended to protect animals and reduce noise from the city. Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba designed the 200,000 square meters of land. Only Bahais from all around the globe make donations, which provide funding.
TOURS OF THE GARDENS
The daily English-language tour departs at noon and is free of charge. There is no need to make a reservation. Throughout the day, additional excursions are provided in both Hebrew and Russian. The guided tour is the most effective approach to fully appreciate the gardens. The Haifa Bay serves as a lovely background as well. The journey comes to a finish right before the Shrine of the Bab after beginning at the front gate and continuing down. Bring suitable walking shoes because the trip has 600 stairs and lasts around 45 minutes. An optional 20-minute documentary on the Bahais is shown following the trip.
GETTING TO THE BAHAI GARDENS
The German Colony is where you can get the 23 bus. It crosses the main gate at the top area of the Bahai Gardens after winding around them. When to get off, be sure to ask the bus driver. When the bus is moving over the grounds, it cannot see the gardens. The ideal stop is on Rechov HaNassi, and a little street called Dafna leads down to the main entrance.
When you get to the Bahai Gardens, there will be a lot of tour buses, but if you want to join the guided tour, you must go 100 meters to the left of the main entrance. When the trip is over and you are leaving Rechov HaTzionut’s gardens, the guards and guides will be pleased to send you in the right path.