Historical sites in Acre 2024 - Wonders Travel and Tourism city of acre unesco world heritage site city of akko

+962 7 9635 8199 [email protected]

The ancient city of Akko, sometimes called Acre, is a turning point in the history of the Land of the holy land and a significant historical site.

Historical sites in the old city of Akko also known as Acre

The ancient city of Akko, sometimes called Acre, is a turning point in the history of the Land and a significant historical site. From a historical perspective, Akko is undoubtedly considerably more crucial and significant than other cities. Numerous civilizations, including the Byzantines, British, Crusaders, Mameluke, Ottomans, and Romans, have influenced the history of Akko. Today, Jews, Christians, and Muslims all live in Akko, making it a melting pot of cultures and religions. One of the most important and historic locations is the Old City of Akko, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Old City Of Akko

Because of the archaeological relics from the Crusader era that are located above and below street level in the Old City of Akko, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Akko is moreover one of Israel’s few Ottoman-walled cities. Overlooking the Crusader remains at Akko are preserved structures including spas, citadels, khans, and mosques. After being nearly entirely excavated for more than ten years, Akko has mostly been conserved thanks to renovations and rebuildings made across the Old City after UNESCO recognized it in 2001.

The Old City has seen the construction of several new buildings, including the Enchanted Garden and the new Visitors Center. The Knights’ Halls of the Hospitaller Fortress, which served as a defense structure during the Crusader era in the 11th century and includes the Templars Tunnel, is a stunning example of a restored architecture. The Templars found the Templars Tunnel in 1994 while traveling from the port in the eastern portion of the city to the fortification in the western section of the city.

The Fortifications

Akko is exceptional because of its magnificent historical walls that encircled the old city and were preserved over time. Along the antiquated defense walls are the distinctive panoramic vistas. The old ramparts were constructed in the 18th century at Ahmed el-request. Jazzar’s Starting at Weizmann Street, it is advised to ascend the ramparts and make your way to the northeast corner, where the enormous tower Burj el-Kummander dominates.

This tower was built on the Accursed Tower’s foundations, when Richard the Lionheart lowered the Austrian duke’s flag in 1191. The Treasures in the Wall Museum, which has an ethnographic collection of artifacts from the early Zionist settlers’ time in that region, is situated in the southern section next to the walls. The stunning Burg Kurajim, also known as the Tower of the Vine, is a bulwark that the Ottomans constructed to protect the city against maritime invasions as you get closer to the sea. The Burg Kurajim was constructed on top of Crusader-era foundations.

The Ahmed Al-Jazzar Mosque

The Ahmed Al-Jazzar Mosque, an Ottoman-style domed mosque with a courtyard and a Rococo-style kiosk on the right side, was built in 1781. There are apartments located around the arched courtyard that once used as the lodging for Muslim academics and pilgrims. The ancient cistern, which was constructed during the Crusader era and is located on the east side of the arcaded gallery, provided water for the citizens of Akko during the city’s siege. Suleiman Pasha’s successor, Ahmed Al-Jazzar, is buried in a tiny dome structure to the right of the entrance to the prayer hall.

The Citadel

One of Akko’s most significant landmarks is Ahmed Al-Citadel, Jazzar’s which is located primarily inside the old city walls. The actual building, which is from the Ottoman era, is located over an older Crusader fortress construction. The British Mandate period saw the building of the citadel serve as a jail; now, it is home to the Museum of Underground Prisoners. This museum honors the Jewish warriors who were imprisoned or killed by the British administrations during the Mandate era, and it has a collection of vintage black-and-white photos and actual Mandate-era papers.

The Crusader City

The historical location of Crusader City is situated below Ahmed Al-Citadel. Jazzar’s The location has gothic vaulted halls that served as the Knights Hospitaller’s administrative center. Six interconnected vaulted halls, a dungeon, the Knights Hall, and the Dining Hall are all examples of Gothic architecture found in the Crusader City, which dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a unique experience to navigate their way down a cramped subterranean passage that finishes in a crypt after concluding the tour of the halls.

The Khan al-Umdan

Because Ahmed el-Jazzar imported granite and porphyry columns from Caesarea to create this khan, the Khan al-Umdan, also known as the Khan of the Columns, earned its name. The khan provided lodging for traveling merchants who conducted business in the city and was constructed on top of the Crusaders’ Dominican monastery. The rooms on the bottom level, which are grouped around a big rectangular courtyard, were used as storage and shelters, while the merchants’ sleeping quarters were located upstairs. The clock tower is situated above the north gate to commemorate Sultan Abdul Hamid’s golden wedding anniversary in 1906.

The Crusader Tunnel

One of Akko’s most remarkable tourist destinations is the Crusader Tunnel, which a local plumber found in 1994. The underground passageway originally provided a covert escape to the sea in the event of an invasion by linking the harbor with a Templar palace. It now extends from HaHagana Street to the Khan al-Umdan and offers a fascinating view of Crusader architecture. Doing a walkthrough is strongly advised, especially if you are interested in the marvelous historic city’s medieval Crusader past.

The Church Of St. John

The Church of St. John is the most spectacular church in Akko, and it was constructed in 1737 on the site of a Crusader church honoring St. Andrew that was there in the 12th century. The Church of St. John has a simple interior but an interesting and lovely facade. Particularly in the late afternoon, the stunning contrast of the church’s white walls with the sharp, bright-red bell tower amidst the stone walls of Akko’s coastline demands to be captured on camera.

The Akko Harbour

Fishing boats and yachts of various colors line the harbor in Akko. From the classical era until the medieval era, it was a significant and active harbor. Eight ships could fit in this harbor during the Crusader era, but today it is a modest and tranquil fishing area. From this port, you may take a sightseeing boat journey to the Mediterranean and take in the breathtaking sea views of the Old City of Akko.

The Hammam al-Pasha Museum

This hammam, or Turkish bath, was totally renovated and turned into a stunning museum that has a display on the tradition and culture of Turkish baths. This hammam was constructed in the 18th century in the manner of an Ottoman-period bathhouse, and it served as a Turkish bath up until the 1940s. Dioramas in the rooms and an audio tour allow visitors to this museum to learn about the history of the hammam and its customs. Additionally, there are descriptions of the hamman culture and the bathing procedure.

The Old City Shuk

The town’s main marketplace, the Old City Shuk of Akko, is a bustling bazaar with lots of fresh and inexpensive goods including spices, food, and trinkets. This shuk is a lovely location to locate textiles and trinkets, as well as the ideal location to purchase an original present to carry with you. It is wonderful to meander around this area and take in the old streets, local vendors, and ancient and middle eastern ambience of the marketplaces.