Places of Interest BACK

Bahai Gardens (El Bahja): Located just beyond the northern outskirts of Akko are the imposing formal gardens which surround the central shrine of the Bahai world, the building housing the remains of the founder of the faith, Bahaullah. The building is the focal point of the worldwide Bahai community which now numbers some five million adherents. Visitors must be modestly dressed smoking and eating are not allowed in the shrine or its precincts. Photographs may be taken in the gardens, but not within the shrine itself. The building is open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 9 a.m. until noon, and the gardens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Tel. (04)9358358.

Bazaar: narrow, winding streets of the Old City interesting shops and stalls. Open on working days.

Burj es-Sultan: Crusader watchtower. Contains guardroom and dungeon. There is a restaurant here.

Citadel - Museum of Heroism: built by Jazzar Pasha in 1785 on Crusader foundations. Top-security prison under British Mandatory authorities. Museum commemorating Jewish freedom fighters imprisoned here by British. Museum includes original death cell with red garments of condemned men, gallows, and photographic display recalling mass break-out in 1947. Open: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri. and eve of holidays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Entrance fee.

City Walls: access to top by steps near Law Courts. Old cannons stand in position. Spectacular view of Mount Carmel and Haifa, Galilee and Old City.

Fishing Harbour: remains of Crusader harbour. Boats for hire and boat tours. Tourist arcade with shops, galleries and restaurants opposite pier. Diving centre and boat ride along the walls of Akko.

Khan el-Franj: called ``Franks' Inn,'' having served European merchants during Turkish rule. Original mediaeval gate still standing. Seventeenth-century Franciscan Monastery located here.

Khan el-Umdan (Inn of Columns): built in 1785 as a caravanserai. Plans to turn it into tourist hotel. Soaring clocktower built in 1906.

Mosque of Ahmad Jazzar: built in 1781 on ruins of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Most beautiful mosque in the Galilee. Box in fenced-off area upstairs contains hairs of beard of prophet Mohammed, shown to public only on 27th day of month of Ramadan. Tombs of Ahmad Jazzar and Suleiman Pasha outside. Sun-dial in garden. Recently opened underground water reservoir. Open: daily 8.30 a.m.- 6.30 p.m., Fri. 8.30 a.m. - 2.30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Entrance fee.

Subterranean Crusader City: entrance opposite Mosque of Ahmad Jazzar. Includes magnificent examples of Crusader architecture entrance halls, Knights' Halls, Grand Manoir, Crypt, tunnel and Al-Bosta. Also, display of mediaeval columns, capitals and tombstones. Open: Sun. - Thurs. 8.30 a.m. - 4.45 p.m. Fri. 8.30 a.m. - 1.45 p.m. Sat. 8.30 a.m., - 4.45 p.m. Entrance fee includes a visit to the Turkish Bath.

Okashi Museum: The first art museum in Old Akko. Guided tours and activities in a nearby workshop. Tel. (04)9911271.

Tel Akko: Canaanite city east of the present town. Crusaders called the tel ``Toron.'' From this hill Napoleon shelled Akko in 1799, so it is also known as ``Napoleon's Hill''. Archaeological finds from the Bronze Age and on.

Turkish Bath (formerly Municipal Museum): in 18th century former Turkish bath-house built by Ahmad Jazzar. Contains relics from the region dating back to Canaanite times. Pillars, floor and part of elevated seating in former steam room are covered with Roman marble from Caesarea and Tyre. Open: Sat. - Thurs. 8.30 a.m. - 4.45 p.m. Fri. 8.30 a.m. - 1.45 p.m. Entrance through subterranean Crusader City.