Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
The Rosh Hanikra cliffs stand majestically on the most northerly point of Israel’s Mediterranean coast just meters before the Israel-Lebanese border. The bright blue sea crashes against the white cliffs. Light reflects off of the white cliffs onto the seawater creating a beautiful turquoise color. The Rosh Hanikra cliffs are riddled with natural grottos that are now accessible to tourists. The Rosh Hanikra caves were probably formed when an earthquake caused fissures and crevices in the limestone rock through which rain could slowly penetrate. Over thousands of years, the rain trickled in through the cracks and waves bombarding the cliffs eroding the chalk and limestone. Today there are 200 meters of cavities, tunnels, and chambers that create a labyrinth of caves in the cliffs of Rosh Hanikra.
Caesarea National Park
The main attraction of Caesarea is the Caesarea National Park. The ancient Roman history of this site is recorded by Roman historian Josephus Flavius. On the edge of the national park is the massive Roman Theater. This classic Roman theater is perfectly preserved. It has the typical semi-circular shape with seating on staggered stone steps facing the stage and sea beyond. In Roman times the theater would have been important in entertaining the many foreigners and sailors who came into port. The theater was originally built under Emperor Vespasian and later expanded by King Herod.
Several pillars remain from the inner courtyard of King Herod’s Reef Palace. The opulent palace would have had two stories and was partly built on the marine reef jutting out onto the sea. Today parts of the palace can still be seen and parts are submerged beneath the sea. Experts differ in opinion as to whether this was Herod’s palace or a later construction.
We can also see the remains of a swimming pool alongside a floor mosaic and ritual bath. Among the archaeological remains, there is a large hippodrome with reconstructed frescoes. Here the Romans would hold horse and chariot races. Throughout the park, there are large Roman columns, capitals, sculptures, gravestones and carved architectural features attesting to the importance and opulence of this former Roman city.
Also at the site, we can see where the bathhouse, temples, storerooms and homes once stood. Of particular interest among the many archaeological findings was an inscription naming Pontius Pilate. This was the first recorded mention of Pilate’s name dated within Jesus's lifetime. Structures remaining from the Byzantine era include a villa with floor mosaics and the ruins of a Byzantine church. Remains dating back to the Crusader era include the reconstructed Crusader Gate, a large moat that encircled the Crusader fortress, a high defensive wall and arched entranceways.
Underground Crusader City Acre
Many tourists visit the Old City of Acre without realizing that there is a complete city beneath the ancient streets. The Acre Crusader City was built during the 12th century and destroyed in 1291 when the Mamluks conquered Acre and built their own city on the Crusader ruins. After painstaking excavation and restoration, visitors can now visit Acre’s Crusader City and see the massive Crusader halls, passages, tunnels, and chambers. Despite the impressive structure and size of the Crusader City maps found in the Vatican library show that only about 4% of Acre’s Crusader City has been recovered. Acre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Acre’s natural harbor made it a valuable entry point to the Holy Land and Christian pilgrims on route to Jerusalem would often land in Acre. Acre was the connection between medieval Europe and the Middle East. Ships arrived from across the continent bringing foreign cultures, ideas, pilgrims, and merchandise. Acre (also known as Aca, Akko, Akka, Acco, or St Jean d’Acre) is one of the oldest cities in the world, situated just north of Haifa along Israel’s Mediterranean coast. The city has seen conquerors come and go over the last 4,500 years (at least). One of the most fascinating periods of Acre’s history was during the Crusader era.
Acre Old City Market
The Crusader city of Acre lies on the Mediterranean coast just north of Haifa. It is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in Israel with a hidden Crusader city beneath the ground and the 18th century Old City above ground. One of the most exciting things to do in Acre is walking through the Old City where the main streets are lined with market stalls and shops that open up onto the street.
The Acre Old City Market is a dirty, colorful, loud and bustling market where the local residents do their shopping among curious tourists. The prices are very reasonable, the vendors friendly and you can even try bargaining. Most of the market is covered so you won’t be in the sun and vendors display their goods hanging from every possible surface and spread out onto the street. The market operates during daylight hours and it is perfectly safe to walk around during the daytime. If you follow the market streets you will eventually reach the sea.
The market’s real purpose is to supply locals who live in the Old City with all they need. Among the goods on sale there is clothing, kitchen utensils, toys, jewelry, accessories, shoes, leather goods and more. Food on sale includes both raw and ready-to-eat food. See the fish monger; butcher; vegetable stalls; cheese and spice stalls. At the bakery see large trays of traditional baklava sweet cakes being prepared. You can find unique traditional items in the Acre Old City Market like hooker pipes. In among the market, stalls are several restaurants selling grilled meats, fish dishes, shawama and falafel.
Bahai Gardens, Haifa
The city of Haifa covers the slopes of Mount Carmel and the land at the foot of the mountain going all the way to the sea. The Baha’i Gardens are at the heart of Haifa cascading down Mount Carmel in 19 terraces. At the center of the gardens is a small white shrine topped with a gold-colored dome. The gardens are a religious site for followers of the Baha’i faith and the shrine is the final resting place of the faith’s founder and prophet, The Bab. The Baha’i Gardens are a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. The true beauty of the gardens can really be appreciated when you understand the religious philosophy behind the gardens.
The Bab (Sayyed Ali Muhammad Shirazi) was born in Persia in 1819; he founded the Babism faith and claimed to be the inspired interpreter of the Quran. He went on to name himself the Prophet of a New Age and the Essence of God. “Bab” means the door or gateway. The Bab composed extensive written material and teachings. As his movement gained support from more and more people the Irani clergy and government began to persecute and kill Bab followers. The Bab was executed by firing squad in 1850. The Bab is entombed in the beautiful shrine at the heart of the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa.
Baha’ullah was a follower of The Bab and founder of the Baha’i faith based on the writings of The Bab. Baha’ullah was a Persian nobleman who lived a life of privilege before turning to Bab for spiritual enlightenment and dedicating his life to the poor and underprivileged. He became known as the Defender of Justice. Baha’ullah developed a doctrine based on The Bab’s writings and said he was God’s messenger for his generation. He taught that all religions preached the same basic spiritual theories and that we were heading towards an idyllic era of human unity. After imprisonment and persecution for his beliefs Baha’ullah and followers were banished from Persia. They traveled within the Ottoman Empire for 10 years before being exiled to the Ottoman-ruled Holy Land and prison in Acre. Baha’ullah was eventually released, lived out his life in Acre and passed away in 1892. Baha’ullah is buried in the Baha’i Gardens of Acre.
The Templars' Tunnel
The Templar’s Tunnel runs beneath the Old City of Acre from the site of the former Templar fortress in the southwestern of the Old City to the southeast where it meets the sea. At the time of its construction in the 12th century, the 350m-long tunnel served as a strategically hidden passageway connecting the fortress to the port that could be used for a quick escape and to transfer goods from the port to the fortress. The lower part of the passageway was tunneled through natural stone while the upper walls were hewn stones that form the tunnel’s arched ceiling.
