Add a review about the Bahá'í World Center

Baha'i Faith took shape in the religious trend in the mid-19th century, and Haifa is home to its main administrative and spiritual center. The center includes the temple and gardens in Acre, as well as the gardens and tomb of the Bab, which are on the slope of Mount Carmel, in Haifa. In addition, the center of Haifa has an international training center, an archive, the House of Justice and a center for studying sacred texts. The World Bahá'í Center was introduced by UNESCO on the World Heritage List in 2008.

The Bab was built in 1891, and the process took almost 10 years. In this place, the remains of the Bab, the follower of Baha'u'llah and the founder of the Babi current, had to rest. The eldest son of the Bab, Abdu'l-Bahá, planned the building, which was later completed by his grandson, Shonyi Efendi. The result was an amazing design with a central dome and arcade, reminiscent of the most majestic temples of several religious currents. The three-year restoration was completed in 2011.

The terraced gardens that lead up to the tomb can be called one of the most recognizable sights of Haifa, and each year they attract many visitors.

Baba's remains were buried in 1909. in a stone mausoleum of six rooms. In 1929, three more halls were added to the mausoleum, and in 1949 Efendi started to work, completing it in 1953. The construction was carried out entirely with the funds of followers of the Baha'i Faith from all over the world

The World Bahá'í Center in Haifa

The majestic dome of the sanctuary is covered, like scales, with 12,000 tiles of various shapes and sizes made in Portugal from gold plates. The cylindrical base on which the dome is resting is 11 m high and stands on its octagonal base. The balustrade is decorated with a mosaic of emerald green and scarlet details, and at each of the four corners a bronze inscription of the Main Name of God is placed

The World Center is open to all comers, and the Baha'is themselves consider it a "gift to humanity". Nevertheless, it is a sacred place for believers, therefore, one should behave with restraint and be dressed properly: with covered shoulders and in clothes not above the knees. Reliable shoes are also important: the steps and paths are lined with shingled pebbles, and it is better not to climb in heels on them.

The terraced gardens that lead up to the tomb can be called one of the most recognizable sights of Haifa, and each year they attract many visitors. Moreover, this is an amazingly peaceful and peaceful place, which is rare for the noisy and turbulent Haifa. The total of 19 terraces, divided into two parts by the shrine's building and a garden with it, are stretched together for a whole kilometer, starting from the foot of Mount Carmel. Both the terraces and the sanctuary are beautifully illuminated at night.

The center offers free guided tours, during which you can see the landscape and natural, natural parts of the gardens, as well as admire the wonderful views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The guide tells about the design of the gardens and the maintenance work, as well as their significance in the Baha'i faith.

Practical information

Working hours: 9:00 - 17:00, daily. The inner gardens near the tomb are closed at 12:00. The gardens are also closed during the Bahá'í holidays and Yom Kippur, and sometimes they are closed for visits and in bad weather.

Excursions around the center are held daily, except Wednesday. Usually at noon there is an excursion in English. The tour begins in a hundred meters to the west of the central observation balcony at the address. Yefe Nof, 45. The tour lasts about 50 minutes and ends at the main entrance to the garden, on the Avenue of Hatzionut. Back to the starting point you can take the bus number 23.

Excursions are free. It should be noted that the tour implies the need for almost an hour to walk on the hill.