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Acre is the oldest fortified city in Israel, once the most important strategic port, located in the northern part of the Western Galilee. The city was mentioned back in the 19th century BC. For a long time, Acre was the capital of the Kingdom of the Templar Order. Modern Acre is the commercial and administrative center of Western Galilee with a population of 50 thousand people. The Naval Officers School, a branch of the University of Haifa, Yad Nathan College and other educational and cultural institutions are located here. Acre is included in the UNESCO list of world cultural properties.
Attractions
The most attractive attractions are the remains of buildings from times ancient Greece And ancient Rome, majestic buildings from the Crusader and Ottoman eras. It is worth visiting the Al-Jezar Mosque, the spacious buildings of the monks of the Order of St. John, underground city the Crusaders, Khan El-Umdan and the fantastic Bahai Temple. I would like to say a special word about the 350-meter underground tunnel, built by the Knights of the Templar Order and connecting the fortress and sea port. The tunnel was accidentally discovered in 1994, and in 1999 it was turned into a museum. There is also a unique museum in Acre, created in a former Turkish bath. Equipped with the latest technology, the museum tells about the history and intricacies of the bath business.
Entertainment
In the fall, during the celebration of Sukkot, a theater festival is held in Akko, which attracts professionals and aspiring artists. On holidays, ancient walls become wonderful backdrops for performances dedicated to the torment of creativity, self-determination, mutual struggle and rivalry. Tourists’ leisure time is also occupied by the new entertainment program “Hasanshishi”: various musical and theatrical performances (fringe theater and ethnic music), which are held in the evenings in the “Magic Garden” (“Gan ha-kasum”) in the Crusader fortress, as well as visits to the Rosh Ha grottoes -Nikra.
Hotels
The Western Galilee Hotel Association offers tourists the opportunity to spend the night in cozy rooms, as well as receive discounts on excursions and free tickets to entertainment events.
Restaurants
The food in fish cafes and restaurants is surprisingly tasty and relatively inexpensive. The small, cozy restaurant The Loaves and Fishes is popular and serves seafood dishes. The Galileo restaurant, located among the ruins of the ancient city walls, is also worth a visit. One of the best seafood restaurants is also Uri Buri.
The shops
The main market runs through the entire territory of the Old Town. Here you can find anything: any food, nuts, spices, jewelry, amazing sea shells, clothes and, of course, fish.
Acre is one of the oldest cities in the country with a continuous history of over 4 thousand years. Located on the coast Mediterranean Sea, at the fork in trade roads, the city has always been at the center of history and a place where diverse cultures met, as well as a strategically important site during the times of all military campaigns that took place in the region. Unlike many Israeli cities, Acre did not suffer complete destruction and has preserved many ancient buildings to this day. Acre is the only city of the Crusader era that has survived to this day in exceptional preservation.
Acre was first mentioned in 1456 BC, in the list of cities that Thutmose III conquered during his military campaign, among others carved on the walls of the Karnak Temple. A later mention dates back to the fourth century BC, in ancient Egyptian archives found by archaeologists, which contained correspondence between the Canaanite kings. The Biblical Book of Judges mentions Acre during the period of resettlement of the tribe of Asher, into whose possession the city entered.
Today it is a sunny coastal city with a very bright color, rich history, overflowing with attractions both from a historical point of view and from an archaeological and architectural point of view. The old part of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city, which attracts numerous tourists, is green with many cypresses and eucalyptus trees, the number of which can be compared with the city itself, which is completely planted with eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus trees draw moisture from the ground and during times of drying out of the swamps, the area was planted with eucalyptus trees, which grow here to this day, drying the soil during rainy periods and creating additional shade in the heat.
For inquisitive guests of the country, Acre is simply a godsend, the city itself is an attraction, evidence of past times can be seen at absolutely every step, and the narrow streets of the market, known throughout the north, fascinate and do not let go. Buyers from all over the area come to the local market, which is open all week, including Shabbat: from Haifa, Krayot (suburbs of Haifa), Nahariya and Karmiel, even from Rosh Ayna and. Moreover, a visit to the market in Acre is not always determined by the need to buy something, more often it is just an attraction that residents of neighboring cities arrange for themselves, especially on Saturday, when nothing works in ordinary cities, in Acre, you can buy a wide variety of goodies , from the freshest fish, freshly caught squid and other sea life, brought and sold by fishermen from boats 50 meters from the market itself, to sweets and real, aromatic, Arabic coffee, brewed right on the street in Turks.
Many families love to simply walk along these cobblestone streets, admire the amazingly beautiful Arabic vases, hookahs, Turks, tatams and other things strange to a European person, or have a snack in one of the local eateries, where visitors are offered unique hummus, falafel and shawarma in pita , leaving their everyday problems, worries, work: factories in Haifa and Nesher, Mizra and hospitals, galleries in Karmiel. Thirty meters from the market, on the pier, small yachts rock on light waves, whose owners are happy to take those wishing for a ride along the coastal waters for a very small fee. It must be said that Acre is a very affordable city, both in terms of prices on the market, in shops or for an apartment, and in terms of the hospitality of the local population, who easily and happily make contact.
Coming out of the market, on the embankment, you begin to get acquainted with the historical sights of the city - its walls. The system of walls hugged Acre both from the sea and from the land, withstanding Napoleon's siege; the fortifications are 10-13 m high. and a meter wide. The process of building the walls lasted from 1750 to 1801, and occurred in three stages. The first wall was built in just a year, surrounding the entire city from the sea and land, but could not protect against undermining or stairs. During the government of Al-Jazar, the construction of walls and fortification of the city continued, and did not end even after the walls withstood the pressure of Napoleon. Having strengthened the existing walls, Al-Jazar erected new ones and dug a deep ditch between them, filling it with water. Communication with the city took place through the northwestern and southeastern gates. For the most part, these are the current walls of the city. Cannons were installed on all the walls, which shot through any approaches to the city, allowing only military or civilians with special passes to approach the wall.
Within the old city, there is the second most important landmark of the city - the Al-Jazar Mosque, recognized as the second most beautiful in the country, after the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem. The mosque was built in the style of Ottoman architecture, which inherited much from the Persian and Byzantine styles. The green dome and minaret are the hallmark of the Al-Jazar Mosque, built on the foundations of the Church of the Holy Cross, which stood here during the Crusaders. Erected by order of the Ottoman governor during the year 1781-1782, the mosque has been pleasing with its beauty for centuries both praying Muslims and tourists of other religions admiring its splendor.
One of the most impressive buildings in the old city is the Citadel of Acre, located in its northern part, built by the ruler of the city, Dahar el Omar, in 1750 on the remains of the Hospitaller fortress. The walls of the Citadel, 40 meters high, served as a palace for the rulers of Acre, and strategic reserves and weapons warehouses were created in the internal buildings. Later, a prison was located here, where both Bahá'u'lláh (the founder of the Baha'i religion) and Ze'ev Jabotinsky, the founder of the Jewish Legion, writer and poet, who fought during the First World War as part of the British army, were serving their sentences.
The most romantic and mysterious attraction of Acre is the underground Templar Tunnel in the southwestern part of the city. At one time connecting the Templar fortress, now not preserved, but mentioned in the records of the chroniclers of that time, in the west, with the eastern seaport, the tunnel passes under the Pisa Quarter and was a strategic object of exceptional importance. total area The 350-meter tunnel is illuminated along its entire length by the light of dim lamps located in the water under the floor made of boards. The sound of water against the background of the silence of underground vaults takes the imagination into the atmosphere of past times. It is noteworthy that the tunnel was discovered absolutely by accident, during repair work in the sewer system, begun due to constant complaints from a woman whose house was located above the tunnel. Discovered in 1994, the tunnel was opened to the public only in 1999, after the tunnel was cleared of dirt, pumps were installed to pump out water, as well as wooden flooring and lighting.
Describing the sights of Acre is like trying to count the drops in the sea that washes it, here every stone remembers something, and every corner knows something, it’s easier to come and see everything with your own eyes, wander its streets, listen to the scream of merchants and the whisper of the trees, chat with its inhabitants and eat local delicacies, ride its waves and absorb its spirit with the wars of the Crusaders and the fortress of the walls.
Historical definition over 5 thousand years ancient city As a crossing point for international trade routes and diverse cultures, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The city's attractions
Ancient sights are presented to the attention of city guests.
Old city walls
Tourists inspect the historical walls, the three-stage construction of which took about a century.
1750-1751. A 10-13-meter wall with a width of 1 meter was built, running both from the land side and from the sea.
Interesting fact. 1790. Napoleon besieged the fortress for 3 months, but was unable to capture Acre and lifted the siege.
Until 1801, under the Palestinian ruler Al-Jazzar, new fortification walls, 9 towers were built, and a canal was dug. Suleiman Pasha is strengthening the northern and western defensive lines.
1840. Happens powerful explosion weapons storage facility, which destroyed the walls protecting from the sea.
Knights' halls
The Monastery of the Hospitallers of St. John partially merges with the city walls thanks to its northern wing, consisting of 9 main rooms (hall of arts, sugar hall, prisoner's hall, etc.). The eastern branch of the structure has a ceremonial hall. The western two-story part served as a barracks for knights.
The southern wing is famous for the refectorium discovered there, built in a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles. This hall has a vaulted dome supported by three round columns of large diameter.
The ticket costs 20 ILS.
White Mosque Al-Jazzar
From a distance, the white building of the mosque stands out in the sun, second in beauty and significance after Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock. It was built at the direction of Al-Jazzar from Caesarea granite on the site of a Templar church by Greek and Cypriot specialists, subsequently becoming the burial place of the ruler. The walls surrounding the courtyard contain 45 rooms where students and pilgrims lived who studied the Koran.
Interesting fact. A green box brought from Istanbul containing a hair from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad is kept here. Since 1900, this relic has made the mosque especially holy for Muslims. The shrine is demonstrated once every year during Ramadan.
Entrance for tourists - 10 ILS. A scarf will be provided upon entry.
Templar Tunnel
What remains of the unpreserved fortress of the Templar Order in the southeastern territory is a military facility - a tunnel cut under the Pisa Quarter, connecting the west with the east.
1994. During restoration work of the city sewer system, a 350-meter long tunnel was discovered.
1999. It is open to visitors. There are two ways to enter: from the sea and from the old town. The landmarks for tourists are brown signs. Entrance fee - 12 ILS. Entry is permitted multiple times during the day the ticket was purchased.
Inns
The ancient khans, that is, inns, have been preserved. Among them are the following:
- Khan Al-Umdan is a two-level structure surrounding a courtyard area; 32 columns form arched ceilings along the perimeter; in the middle there is a well; above the central entrance rises a tower decorated with a clock mechanism;
- Khan Al-Faranji - the oldest khan; built by ancient merchants from France; location of the Franciscan church, educational institution;
- Khan A-Shuarda - previously there was a boat workshop here, now there are cafes and restaurants; The Crusader tower has been preserved.
Bazaars
The favorable location for the development of trade relations led to the creation of bazaars, some of which have survived to this day. The combination of centuries-old traditions of Jewish, Arabic, Turkish cuisines, spices, sweets, coffee attracts guests to Acre to local markets.
- The Turkish Bazaar (its origin dates back to the late 18th century) consists of 50 small shops south of the mosque with souvenirs intended for tourists. A favorite place for artists and craftsmen.
- Al-Abyad Bazaar is a single whole of the street and the bazaar building with a high vaulted ceiling. The building material for Al-Abyad was white limestone. Under the Turkish rulers, the market road, running from the then only city gate through the territory of Acre, was of paramount importance.
- During the Crusader period, Bazarnaya Street connected the Hospitaller Gate and the seaport. Today it is Central Market, smelling of coffee, spices, seafood.
Turkish bath
The Hamam Al-Basha museum complex presents the history of the baths of the Ottoman Empire. The visit has multimedia support. Cost - 25 ILS.
Bahai Park
At a distance of 2 kilometers north of Acre (exit no. 4) is the Bahai Park (Baha'i Gardens), a center of Baha'i pilgrimage. The central part is the temple-mausoleum of Bahullah, the founder of the faith. Plants and trees were planted around in compliance with geometric lines and proportions, and architectural forms were created from green spaces.
Interesting fact. Followers of the Baha'i faith around the world pray towards Acre.
Weather in Akko
The Mediterranean climate is attractive to tourists:
- August is the warmest month, air temperature up to + 32°C, average + 26.7°C, temperature sea water+ 25°C;
- January is relatively the coldest month, air temperature up to + 10°C, average + 13.7°C, the rainiest month of the year, most of the precipitation falls (146 mm);
- June is the driest month (0 mm).
How to get there from Haifa
There is no direct flight between Moscow and Acre. Tourists fly to Haifa airport. Then there are 25 kilometers left, which can be overcome in several ways:
- by train, which departs once every hour, fare 15.5 ILS;
- by bus route № 251, 271;
- minibus(orange) (4.5 ILS);
- by car on highway No. 4 or 22;
- a short taxi ride will cost 7.5 ILS.
Excursions and prices for accommodation
It is more profitable for tourists to purchase combined tickets, for example:
- Hall of the Crusaders + Okashi Museum of Contemporary Art + Ethnographic Museum + Tunnel - 27 ILS;
- Hall of the Crusaders + Turkish Baths, including audio guide in Russian - 46 ILS;
- Map of Old Acre - 3 ILS.
Meals (prices are in shekels):
- shwarma (shawarma) - from 25 ILS,
- falafel (deep-fried meatballs) - 7 ILS - 10 ILS,
- grilled fish or meat with side dish - from 40 ILS,
- lunch in a restaurant - from 50 ILS.
Accommodation
| Hotel name | Average price per night |
| Akko Gate Hostel | 87.33 ILS |
| Hl-Akko Hostel | 218.48 ILS |
| Rimonim Palm Beach | 382.10 ILS |
| Acco Beach Hotel | 393.98 ILS |
| Akkotel-Boutique hotel | 600.30 ILS |
| The Efendi Hotel | 1022.30 ILS |
Tourists visiting Israel will be able to lift the veil of secrets historical city Acre, enjoy its architecture, the combination of Turkish, Jewish and Arab cultures.
Akko- a city in Western Galilee. Located approximately 20 km north of the city of Haifa and 140 km from international airport them. Ben Gurion.
The city is located on the Mediterranean coast.
Listed as a UNESCO heritage site.
Founded around 1500 BC
Population - 50 thousand people.
The city of Akko is located in the northern part of the coastal valley, which is also called the Akko Valley. Its northern border is the agricultural settlement of Bustan HaGalil, and in the south it extends to the Ne'eman stream.
Acre has beautiful beaches. This is the northernmost point on the coast, where you will find soft sand that is brought into the Mediterranean Sea from the Nile flowing into it.
Acre is one of the cities in Israel whose history dates back more than 4,000 years. Acre was located at the crossroads of trade routes and has always been the center of history. Acre was a meeting point for many diverse cultures and was of great strategic importance due to its location on a peninsula. This is one of the few cities on the Mediterranean coast whose fortress walls have been preserved without damage, with the exception of two breaches, which are currently used as entrance gates for transport.
Old Acre has many faces, its cultural layers have been preserved almost completely.
The first mention of Akko dates back to 1456 BC The city was conquered by the Egyptians and then came under the rule of the Hittites. In the 13th century BC. Acre again came under Egyptian rule. IN 701 BC the city was taken by the Assyrians. In 333 BC. Acre was conquered by Alexander the Great and became a Greek colony. After the death of Alexander the Great and the collapse of his empire, the city alternately passed from the Greeks to the Egyptians, then to the Seleucids, then had the status of a free Greek city. Acre was later annexed to the Roman Empire. During the Roman period, Acre significantly outgrew the boundaries of the Old City and flourished.
IN 638 Acre was captured by the Arabs. During their reign, a large port for those times was built in the city.
IN 1104 year the city was conquered by the crusaders. Most of them are associated with the period of their rule cultural monuments, for which the city is currently famous. Under the Crusaders, the city became the capital of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and received powerful defensive structures. The city was named Saint-Jean D'Acre. The military orders of knighthood - the Teutons, the Templars, the Hospitallers - had their own quarters in the city.
IN 1291 year, the city passed into the hands of the Mamluks, who, taking advantage of the civil strife occurring in the city, took it by storm. The Mamluks destroyed the city and massacred most of the population. The city was restored only by the middle of the 14th century.
IN 1517 Acre is conquered by the Ottoman Turks under the command of Selim I. Under the Ottomans, the city began to be rebuilt and developed. In the 18th century, the city became the capital of Galilee and a fortress was built in it.
The city lost its strategic importance only towards the end of the 19th century, after the construction railways between Damascus and Beirut, Beirut and Haifa.
IN 1918 In the same year, British troops fighting against the Turks occupied the city. They subsequently administered it under the Mandate for Palestine. The city was turned into the administrative center of the northern district.
According to the plan for the division of Palestine, Acre was supposed to go to the Arab state, however May 14, 1948 During the Arab-Israeli War, Acre was occupied by the Israeli army, and approximately 8 of the 12 thousand Arabs living there fled to neighboring Arab countries.
Soon after the war, Akko begins to develop rapidly outside the walls. Many repatriates settle in the city. In the mid-1960s, Jews left the old city due to difficult living conditions there and moved to the new one. Old city soon turns into a tourism center.
Today Acre is the administrative center of Western Galilee, with branches and offices of ministries, public institutions and courts.
Four religions have found refuge and left their mark in Acre: there are Jewish synagogues, luxurious churches in Christian areas, large mosques, as well as the garden where Baha Ullah, the founder of the Bahai religion, is buried, and the Beit Aboud.
Acre enjoys good weather almost all year round, has beautiful beaches, a boat anchorage and a fishing port. This is a city with a rich history; Every lane has a past, and the city has an atmosphere of freedom and romance.
Attractions Akko
Al-Jazar Mosque
It is the largest mosque in Acre and the largest in Israel, excluding the mosques in Jerusalem. The mosque was built in honor of the city's ruler, Ahmed Al-Jazar. It was erected on the ruins of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, which in turn was built on the site of the ancient Mosque of the Sixth Day. Today it is one of the most beautiful mosques in Galilee. The inside of the building is decorated with blue and brown frescoes, and its floor is covered with huge Persian carpets. Pieces of the Prophet Mohammed's beard are kept here and are shown to the public only on the 27th day of Ramadan. At the entrance to the mosque, a twin building was built, in which the graves of Al-Jazar and his adopted son, heir Suleiman Pasha, are located.
Magic garden
During the Crusader period, the magic garden was located in the northern part of the city, adjacent to the wall. To the east of the garden stood the royal palace of the Crusaders in Acre, and to the west was the military fortress - the monastery of the Hospitallers - the Order of St. John. During the Ottoman period, a fortress was built on the remains of the Hospitaller monastery, and the garden became part of the gardens of the pasha's private palace. In 1799, a battle was fought in the garden between Napoleon's soldiers and the city's defenders.
Fortress of the Knights Hospitaller
The Hospitallers are a military monastic order that treated the sick in the Holy Land and protected pilgrims who came to visit holy places. The order operated hospitals in Jerusalem and Acre. The Hospitallers, who had their own quarter in the city, moved their headquarters from Jerusalem to Acre and built a fortress here. The buildings of this complex were two- and three-story, they were located around a central courtyard; There were also underground parts - water reservoirs and a sewerage system. Excavations of the fortress are still ongoing. The area of the complex is approximately 23 thousand sq.m. Visitors can see the knights' halls, the dining hall, the prisoners' hall, public toilets from the Crusader era, the fortress courtyard, the Crusader-era street and the secret passage.
Knights' Halls - under the Acre fortress and prison during excavations in 1954-63. An impressive underground complex of the 11th-12th centuries was discovered - the era of the Crusaders. The complex consists of six halls, a dungeon supported by 18 massive columns of the Great Ceremonial Hall and a smaller, elegant Dining Hall. An underground tunnel leads to the Dining Hall. The rest of the structure is the ruins of a Gothic temple. In the 7th and 8th centuries, the Ottoman authorities built palaces and office buildings on top of the Knights' Halls, which were then converted into a prison by the British.
Drain tunnel
This tunnel, built during the times of the Persians and connecting the Acre fortress with the city sewer system, was turned by the crusaders into an important strategic site. They increased the length and height of the ceilings. They also built a branch 60 meters long, which at the end was again connected to the main tunnel. From the entrance to the tunnel there are two branches: a low tunnel built by the Persians and a high one built by the Crusaders. After the connection, the low Persian tunnel continues. The tunnel was used by the Crusaders during the construction of the refectory. The entrance to the tunnel in Crusader times was outside near the southern wall of the refectory on the street, through a rectangular well. This well, filled with stones, was also discovered by archaeologists during excavations on the same street. In ancient times, this unique structure served as an important underground passage. The tunnel connects the northern wall and the seaport to the south.
Hamam Al-Basha
The complex of Turkish baths was built by order of Ahmed Al-Jazar in 1795 on the ruins of a crusader bath. After restoration in 1954, a municipal museum was located in the premises of Hammam. It existed until 1990. Currently, Hammam Al Basha hosts a fascinating multimedia show that introduces visitors to the history of the city. The Hammam premises, lined with expensive marble, are located around a marble fountain. The octagonal hot tub is located near the stove with heating boiler. Each room is decorated with a dome. The marble-clad structure is decorated with granite columns and lined with colorful ceramics brought from Damascus and Anatolia.
Genoese Square
The area has the shape of a triangle. The architecture surrounding the square dates mainly from the Crusader era. Here is the house of Abuda (named after one of the owners) - Holy place for adherents of the Bahai faith. The house was given to Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha'i faith, and was inherited by his family. This building immediately catches your eye with its blue windows. Another building overlooking the square is the Arts Center.
Acre city walls
The fortress wall protecting the city is often mistakenly attributed to the era of the Crusaders. However, it was built much later. The wall system was built in three stages. The first wall was completed in 1750. It was a thin wall, only a meter thick, surrounding Acre from both land and sea. Its height was from 10 to 13 meters. There were only two gates in the wall. The construction of new walls continued during the time of Al-Jazar. At this time, new walls were erected and old walls were strengthened, and a canal was dug between them. In 1799, the fortress withstood the siege of Napoleon's army. But even after this, the strengthening of the walls continued. Construction was completed only in 1801. These are today's walls of Acre. There are four gates leading to the fortress.
Inns of Acre (Khana)
Khan al-Umdan - This inn, built in 1784 by order of Al-Jazar near the harbor, is the largest in Israel. Khan al-Umdan is a spacious square surrounded along the perimeter by a two-story gallery supported by numerous vaulted columns. Above the entrance portal rises a clock tower, erected in honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
Khan al-Faranji - was built by French merchants on the site central square Venetian quarter. This is the most ancient khan that has survived to this day. It is named after the French merchants who built it and lived in it. Today, in the northeastern part of the khan there is a Franciscan church and school.
Khan a-Shuarda - not so long ago the khan was restored. Today it houses several restaurants and cafes. Once it housed the only workshop in Acre for the production and repair of boats in the traditional way, but after the restoration of the khan, the workshop was closed. In the south-eastern side of the khan there is a crusader tower, the only one that has been almost completely preserved in its original form.
Khan a-Shuna - the khan has been in a ruined and abandoned state for many decades. It consists of a rectangular courtyard 20 by 40 meters. Around the courtyard there were warehouses and living rooms. There were several rooms that were used as trading shops and overlooked the outside of the khan. The living quarters on the north and west sides consisted of two rooms, and on the east only one. Most of the khan was destroyed during the time of Al-Jazzar.
Acre harbor
In 1982, the harbor was converted into a yacht pier - Marina. The results of excavations indicate that the ancient harbor was originally located at the mouth of the Naaman stream. In the 5th century BC. The port was moved to its current location, where it grew during the periods of Greek and Roman rule, and then, a thousand years later, it was completed and expanded with the arrival of the Crusaders. The symbol of Acre Harbor is the "Tower of Beelzebub" (a Philistine deity) - a small fortified structure erected on the shallows at the entrance to the bay.
Venetian Square
The area is located north of Acre Harbor. The square is dominated by an impressive bell tower. The square was built by the Venetians who returned to the city after the end of the Muslim occupation of the 13th century.
Synagogue Ha-Ramhal (Synagogue of the Tree of Life)
This small, very beautiful building owes its name to the famous Jewish thinker. The house was confiscated from its owner and given to the Jewish community by the Bedouin ruler of Galilee, Sheikh Dahar al-Omar. The construction of the building dates back to the Crusader era. According to tradition, Ramhal, who lived in Acre in the mid-18th century, prayed in this synagogue.
Tunisian synagogue Or Torah
Built in honor of the ancient Jewish synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia. All four floors of the building, both inside and outside, are decorated with magnificent mosaics (from Kibbutz Ayalon); These mosaic panels were created over the course of 54 years. They are entirely composed of hundreds of millions of natural stones collected in Israel. The synagogue has 7 Torah rooms. There are also beautiful stained glass windows here. The mosaics and stained glass windows that decorate the synagogue tell the story of the Jewish people and Israel, from the exit of the forefather Abraham from Urkesh to the Yom Kippur War.
Saraya
The word "saraya" means "castle" in Turkish. This building, which housed the Turkish authorities of Acre, was built at the end of the 18th century and housed the offices of officials of the Turkish civil authorities. The gate at the entrance to the building is simply luxurious - it was built in the Mameluke architectural style, which is called “ablak”. This is a two-story building, built around a central courtyard paved with stone. The building of the Ottoman Saraya was built on the ruins of the Church of John the Baptist, which was located here during the Crusader era.
Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh
Bahaji is a holy place for Baha'is all over the world. Baha'Ullah, the prophet and founder of the Bahai religion, lived here for the last 12 years of his life. Here he was buried. There are two historical buildings on the site: the estate and the Temple of Baha-Ullah. The Temple of Bahá'u'lláh is his burial place. Followers of this religion turn their hearts and faces in the direction of this temple every day during the offering of certain prayers, and strive to make a pilgrimage here at least once in their lives. This place was known as Bahaji or El Bahaji, which means "The Place of Happiness" even before Baha'Ullah settled here.
Churches in Acre
Church of St. George - the Greek Orthodox Church was the first Christian temple, built in Acre during Turkish rule. The first evidence that has come down to us from this period concerns the existence of a Greek Orthodox monastery and temple in Acre - the testimony of the monk Eugene Roger, who visited Acre in 1631. 35 years later, doctor Gabriel Bremont from Marseille visited Acre. Bremont wrote that the Greek Orthodox Church, then (1666) called the Church of St. Nicholas, was restored by Fakher El-Din and became the most beautiful of the churches of Acre.
Church of St. Andrew - in the 18th century among Orthodox Christians eastern countries(including Palestine) the prevailing trend was to accept the Pope as head of the church. Against this background, a Greek Catholic community began to be created in Acre. This community settled in the southwestern part of the city and a community church was built on the ruins of the Church of the Apostle Andrew, which, in turn, was built in the era of the Crusaders.
Church of John the Baptist - next to the lighthouse of the city of Acre is the Church of John the Baptist, belonging to the Catholic Church (Franciscans). It is unclear when this church was built, but a stone carved inscription on the north wall was discovered several years ago giving the year 1737. The church was restored in 1947. Currently, it is the only Catholic church in Acre.
Maronite Church - located in the southwestern part of the city, near the Church of St. Andrew and the monastery of Notre Dame de Nazareth. The Maronites were expelled from Acre during the Crusades. They returned to the city only during the reign of Fakhr El-Din II. He allowed them to renovate their temple, which was then called the Church of St. Nicholas.
Caffarelli's grave
General Caffarelli was a military engineer who accompanied Napoleon during his campaign in Palestine. He was extremely popular in the army - the soldiers affectionately called him “Dad on Crutches” (4 years earlier the general had lost his left leg, which prevented him from performing his duties) - he was also a personal friend of Napoleon Bonaparte. He died during the siege of Acre. Caffarelli's grave was discovered only in 1969 on the territory where the Yad Nathan Agricultural College is currently located. Once a year, in November, the French Embassy holds a ceremony at this site to commemorate the signing of the ceasefire at the end of World War I and a ceremony honoring the unknown soldier.
Akko Museums
The Okashi Museum is a museum named after the artist Avshalom Okashi, who belongs to the New Horizons movement. This is a unique museum of modern art, located in a building dating back to Ottoman rule. Exhibits in the museum change every 3 months.
The Underground Museum is a complex located above the Hospitaller fortress. Ottoman era building. Then the palace of Pasha El-Jazar was located here. During the British Mandate, there was a prison here, from where 9 prisoners - participants in the Jewish underground - went to the gallows. The museum's exposition is dedicated to the activities of the Jewish resistance before the creation of the state of Israel: the organizations "Etzel", "Hagana" and "Lehi".
Ethnographic Museum - offers a journey through Galilee two hundred years ago and shows how people lived in Acre and the Galilee at that time. The museum's exposition represents the Galilean market of the 18th-19th centuries, with its artisans, their tools and products, and market traders are also shown. This museum is located in the thickness of an ancient wall, the width of which is about 60 meters, which adds a special charm to the museum.
Markets of Acre
Due to the fact that Acre was located at the crossroads of trade routes, and was also one of the main seaports of that period, it was a very important international shopping center those times, especially during the times of the Crusaders. Several bazaars were built in Acre, one of which was at the port, especially for merchants from overseas. During Turkish rule, new markets were opened, of which the Turkish bazaar, built by order of Al-Jazar, and the Al-Aviad bazaar (white bazaar) are famous.
Turkish bazaar
The Turkish Bazaar was built at the end of the 18th century as a city market to meet the needs of the local population. The bazaar was abandoned in 1948, after the city was conquered by the IDF; it has only recently reopened as a small market for artisans and artists. Currently, the market houses small shops specializing in the sale of souvenirs and works of art for tourists.
Souq El Aviad (White Market)
Next to the El-Jazar Mosque, a little to the east, is the White Market, which was built by Pasha Suleiman at the end of his reign as governor of Acre. Previously, there was another market in this place, larger in size. This bazaar was called Daher Bazaar. The old bazaar had 110 stalls and was, of course, the center of trade in Acre and northern Palestine. One of the last detailed descriptions This bazaar is described by the English scientist John Silk Buckingham, who visited Acre in 1816. And in 1817 there was a fire. About ten people were killed and injured in the disaster, the building itself was badly damaged and the fire that spread throughout the bazaar caused great damage. In the same year, the charred ruins of the market were destroyed and a new bazaar was built in their place, which still exists today. The walls of the market and its sixty-four shops were whitewashed, which gave the bazaar its name. The White Market is located in a very sunny location; maybe that's why the people of Acre still call him "White". The street and the bazaar were planned as a single whole. The bazaar is a vaulted building above the street, with small vaulted ceilings of barrel shops. High arches in the center, openings and light all give the bazaar lightness and attractiveness. During Turkish rule there was only one entrance to the city. Then the road went straight through the bazaar towards the mosque and fortress. This was one of the most important roads in Acre. The road and the bazaar lost their significance during the construction of a new entrance to the city in the northern wall.
Renovations of the bazaar have recently begun and once completed, many of the stalls will be converted into shops selling soft drinks and light snacks.
Market Street
Market Street is the main street in the Old Town and runs from south to north. During the Crusader era, the street led from the Hospitaller Gate in the north, along the market or the Royal Road (Via Regis) to the port. Currently, along the street there is the central market of Old Acre - a colorful bazaar with many shops selling fish, oriental sweets, perfumes and original spices.
Restaurants and cafes in Akko
Akko offers a large number of a variety of restaurants for tourists seeking culinary experiences....
Restaurant "Uri Buri"- located on the embankment in the Old Town, on the square near the lighthouse. Gourmet restaurant - specializes in fish dishes and seafood.
Restaurant "Abu Cristo"- located in the Old Town, in the fishing port. Oriental restaurant specializing in fish dishes.
Restaurant "Galileo"- located in the Old Town, in the port of Pisa. Specialization - fish dishes.
Restaurant "Achim Ouda"- V oriental restaurant, located on the territory of the El Faraj inn, in the center of the Old City market; The restaurant offers a variety of fish and seafood dishes.
Restaurant "Diniana"- oriental meat and fish restaurant. Located in the port of Pisa, next to the lighthouse.
Restaurant "Abu-Sukhil"- The restaurant's specialty is hummus. Located in the Old Town.
Restaurant "Hummus Said"- a restaurant specializing in hummus in the Old Town, next to the market.
Restaurant "Abu Elias"- in the Old Town, specialization - hummus.
Restaurant "Mor u-Kinamon"- a restaurant specializing in meat and fish dishes; strict observance of kashrut. Groups of up to 120 people are also accepted.
Restaurant "Shipudei Sami HaGadol"- a kosher meat restaurant located in the new part of the city (opposite the central bus station "Egged"). Suitable for groups.
Restaurant "Ha-Shalom"- a kosher oriental restaurant located in the new part of the city.
Restaurant "Ram" is a kosher catering restaurant and you can order pre-prepared meals on trays.
Restaurant "Ha-Lechem veha-Dagim"- a meat and fish restaurant located on the Acre waterfront.
Restaurant "Ha-Hof Ha-Maaravi"- oriental restaurant, no alcohol for sale. The restaurant specializes in fish and other seafood dishes.
Restaurant "Kaf HaZahav"- a cozy oriental restaurant in the Old Town.
Restaurant "Saraya"- an oriental restaurant specializing in meat and fish dishes.
Acre is a city in Western Galilee (Israel), located approximately 18 km north of the city Haifa, on the Mediterranean coast. The city is considered one of the world's landmarks and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Cities.
Acre is one of the cities in Israel whose history continued, according to archaeologists, almost without interruption for over 4,000 years. Acre was located at the crossroads of international trade routes and therefore has always been the center of history. Acre was a meeting point for many diverse cultures and a strategic location for military campaigns.
The first mention of Acre dates back to around 1456 BC. e. (according to other sources in 1468 BC) and was found in the list of conquered cities during the first military campaign of Thutmose III, carved on the wall of the Karnak Temple of Amun in Thebes. The city subsequently came under the rule of the Hittites and was reconquered by Seti I in the 13th century BC. e., together with other southern Phoenician cities. During this period it was a Canaanite city, located in a place called today "Tel Akko - Tel el-Puhar", northeast modern city, 700 meters from the sea.
In the book of Joshua, as well as in other sources, the city was mentioned under the names “Achshaf” and “Ummah”.
During the era of the Kingdom of Israel it was under the rule of the Phoenicians. In the Bible it is mentioned under the name Acre in the book of Judges in connection with the resettlement of the tribe of Asher, into whose allotment Acre entered, but from which he was never able to expel the local Canaanite inhabitants. " Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acre, and the inhabitants of Sidon, and Ahlav, and Achzib, and Helva, and Aphek, and Rehob.
"(Judges 1:31)
In 701 BC. e. Acre was conquered by the Assyrian king Sancheriv. The population of Acre rebelled against his grandson Esarhaddon (Ashurbanipal), who, however, again took possession of Acre around 650 BC. e. During the period of Persian rule, Acre became naval base, which played an important role in the war against Egypt.
After the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity, Acre was not conquered by them and remained under the rule of Tire. It was quickly conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC and became a Greek colony. In 330 BC, Acre moved from Tel Akko to the seashore. Acre became the most important port city in the country, and one of largest cities Hellenistic world. The city spread over an area of 1000 dunams.
After the death of Alexander the Great, the city was taken over by the Egyptian Ptolemies, who gave it the name Ptolemais. Acre is mentioned under this name in the Bible, in the letters of the Apostle Paul. Captured by Antiochus the Great in 219 BC. e. Acre became part of the Seleucid Empire and was named Antioch. While under Seleucid rule, Acre repeatedly served as a base for military operations against Judea. After the death of Antiochus VII Sidetes, Acre passed from one Hellenistic ruler to another and became a virtually independent city.
During the Hasmonean period, Acre was besieged by the troops of Alexander Yannai. At that moment, Acre had the status of a free Greek city, headed by the city state council (Bule). Bule Acre turned to Ptolemy Latour for help. Ptolemy came to the aid of besieged Acre with an army of thirty thousand and landed in the area of modern Haifa. Under pressure from this, Alexander Jannaeus had to lift the siege of Acre, although he advanced to the very approaches to the city.
Under Pompey in 52-54. BC e. Acre was annexed to the Roman Empire. In 48-47 BC e. Julius Caesar landed in Acre. In 39 BC. e. Herod I used Acre as a stronghold in his military operations against Matityahu Antigonus II. When the First Jewish War began, the inhabitants of Acre massacred two thousand Jews. In 67 AD e. from Acre, Vespasian launched a campaign against the rebel Galilee. The importance of Acre harbor decreased after Herod I built a port at Caesarea. During the Roman period, Acre significantly outgrew the boundaries of the Old City. During this period, Jews continued to live in the city, but never constituted a majority. The Jews still called the city Acre.
In 638, Acre was captured by the Arabs, and a port was built in 804-868.
