Located on Carmel Mountain, and overlooking Haifa Bay, are the beautiful Bahá’í Gardens, which combine a fascinating and unique culture, with amazing nature and architecture. The Bahá’í Gardens’ importance and beauty had made them a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a holy pilgrimage site with immense universal value. Here, we’ll provide you with all of the important things to know about visiting the Bahá’í Gardens.
The story of the Bahá’í Gardens
The Baha’i religion is one of the youngest religions in the world. It began in 1844 in the city of Shiraz in Iran, with the appearance of the Bab, the messianic founder, Seyyed Ali Muhammad. The Bab declared that his job was to pave the way for the coming of the great prophet, who would open a new chapter in the life of humanity, a chapter of peace, tranquility, and unity. In the six years of his activity, thousands of Shia Muslims gathered around the Bab, who were expecting revelation. This appeared in the person of Mirza Husayn Ali, son of Losier from the Sheikh’s court. He was called Baha’u’llah and his believers were called “Bahá’ís” after him. Thanks to his high status, the Iranian authorities did not execute him, but exiled him to prison in Acre. His son, Abdul, continued his work, he was also in imprisoned, but was released and in 1908 he established Haifa as the holiest city for the Baha’i religion.
According to the Bahá’í Faith, the One God sends his message in every age through prophets such as Abraham and Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, Krishna, Buddha and Zarathustra, and each prophet acts and formulates according to the consciousness and culture appropriate to the period of his mission. Hence also the unique gospel of the Baha’i religion, which came to the world through the “Báb” and “Baha Allah” – who, as mentioned, created the main scriptures of the religion out of spiritual inspiration, the fruit of a higher revelation – is the gospel of God.
The main principles of the religion are the unity of humanity through bridging the differences of nationality, religion and gender; A call for the establishment of global institutions to promote peace and a just distribution of resources; and encouraging the use of an international language for the sake of understanding between people. The Bahá’ís advocate equality, and from that also women’s equality, religious tolerance, adequate education for all and harmony between religion and science. Currently, there are 6-7 million Bahá’ís in the world, with many of them coming to the Bahá’í Temple in Haifa as pilgrims.
The gardens’ design
The Baha’i gardens in Haifa are made up of nineteen terraced gardens starting at the top of Mount Carmel and ending at its foot.
The central axis around which the gardens were designed points towards Acre, a city of great historical and religious significance for the Bahá’ís. In the heart of the gardens stands the temple of the Báb with its golden dome, the resting place of the prophet-forerunner of the Bahá’í religion. The different parts of the gardens offer a variety of views and sensations, but all are united by a common language of gravel paths, designed shrubs and flower beds, which are nurtured and cared for by a dedicated team of gardeners.
Bahá’í Gardens tours
guided tours in the Bahá’í Gardens are being held Every day except for Wednesday, in the following languages: English, Hebrew, Russian and Arabic.
The tour is free and there is no need to register in advance (for groups up to 18 people).
The duration of the tour is 45 minutes during which you will descend about 700 steps.
The tours of the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa start from Yeffe Nof 45 Street and end at the main entrance at Hatzionut Avenue 80.
Important information for visitors:
- Entrance is only allowed in modest clothing – guests are requested to arrive in clothing that covers the shoulders and the knees.
- It’s recommended to come with comfortable and steady shoes (sports / mountain) for walking.
- Entry with strollers with a baby carrier is possible only at the main entrance.
- Photography around the garden is allowed, but is prohibited inside the temple.
- It is allowed to enter with water bottles. However, Eating food, chewing gum and smoking in the gardens is prohibited.
- Do not bring animals and weapons into the garden.
- Entrance to the inner part of the gardens requires taking your shoes off.
