Types of Haifa. Haifa: attractions and beautiful places. Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Sights of Haifa. The most important and interesting sights of Haifa - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

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Monastery of Stella Maris

Haifa, Derech Stella Maris, 23

Since ancient times, Mount Carmel has been revered as a holy place, and any belief in this regard has its own explanation. Carmelite monks reached the mountain during the era of the Crusades. The patron of this order was Elijah the Prophet, who, as is known, lived in a mountain cave.

A well-worn proverb in Israel says: Jerusalem prays, Tel Aviv has fun, and Haifa works. Indeed, this city - noisy, modern, active - does not give the impression of a place for lazy relaxation. Although those who wish will receive this in full in Haifa: 5 km great beach with a promenade, hotels, restaurants and cafes there is enough for everyone.
Those who strive to squeeze out as many impressions as possible even from a holiday at sea will also not be disappointed. In Haifa, however, there are almost no particularly outstanding architectural buildings. But there is Mount Carmel, and there are several interesting sights on it.
The most visible and impressive is the Baha'i World Centre, with beautiful terraced gardens and an impressive sanctuary in the middle. It is absolutely necessary to explore the gardens while in Haifa, even if you do not have and do not want to have the slightest idea about this religious movement.
There are almost no particularly outstanding architectural structures in Haifa. But there is Mount Carmel, and there are several interesting sights on it.
Also on Mount Carmel, although much higher, is the monastery of the Carmelite Order of Stella Maris, and you also definitely need to climb here - both for the beautiful basilica with the cave of Our Lady inside and a long history, and for the stunning view. There is another one nearby sacred place: Cave of Elijah the Prophet, in which, according to legend, the saint lived. You can get to the cave and the monastery using a funicular - also a city attraction of its own.
Please note: many museums, in particular those that are part of the Haifa Museums group, have very complex opening hours: they close at different times on different days of the week.
Among the city's museums, several stand out (typically, some are also located on the mountain). The most outlandish and popular is the Museum of Science, Technology and Space, an interactive paradise for children and adults. In its own way, a no less outlandish museum is the Tikotin collection, dedicated to traditional and modern Japanese art. This museum is the only one in the Middle East, and it has repeatedly received encouraging reviews from Japanese art historians and cultural experts. There are several art museums in the city, although all of them are not too large - the Haifa Art Museum, the Manet Katz Museum, the Hermann Struck Museum. Each one, although small, is interesting in its own way, and in each one you will see in a temporary exhibition a masterpiece of some great artist: Chagall, Goya, Rivera, Utrillo, Dali.
Well, for lovers of history, especially military history, there is a direct route to the Maritime Museum or, even better, to the Museum of Illegal Immigration and the Navy. In the latter you can see a respectable exhibition, which includes warships and submarines, as well as weapons from them.

Mediterranean coast
- Where to stay: in the north in Akko, in Russian-speaking Ashdod or green Ashkelon, the party town of Netanya, the “village of millionaires” of Herzliya or in Caesarea, where some of the best beaches in Israel. Many also choose hotels

The Baha'i Gardens ensemble is part of the Baha'i Temple complex. The Baha'i religion is very young - just over one and a half hundred years old - and, nevertheless, widespread throughout the world. Baha'is firmly believe in the advent of peace throughout the world, and the Baha'i Gardens seem to embody the beauty and harmony that should reign after beneficial changes...

On the central terrace of the gardens there is a tomb in which the ashes of the founder of the Bahai Church rest, nine terraces stretch from it to the top of the mountain and nine to the foot. And this luxurious cascade is covered with buildings made of snow-white marble, bronze sculptures of birds and flowers, and, of course, a lush collection of plants, which are selected so that at any time of the year the gardens are covered with fragrant flowers...

The official opening of the Eighth Wonder of the World took place only in 2001. The gardens were erected exclusively with donations from Baha'is, and no material contributions were accepted from the uninitiated. But you can take a walk in the shade of their flowering alleys and relax near the murmuring fountains. Every visitor to the gardens has only one requirement - closed clothing.

Baha'i World Center

Baha'ism is the youngest religion, originating in the mid-19th century. The core of the Baha'i faith is unity: one God in one religion for one humanity. Baha'ism calls for the rejection of all types of prejudices that divide people - racial, religious, class and political, proclaiming human perfection as one of its main tenets.

The Baha'i World Center is a place of pilgrimage for adherents of this religion and is located in Haifa, in northern Israel. Here is the Tomb of the Bab - Seyyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi, the Baha'i prophet, which the residents call the "Baha'i Temple". The temple is located in the center of the Baha'i Gardens on the slope of Mount Carmel overlooking the port of Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea. The Báb was executed in 1850 in Iran, and his remains were later transferred to Haifa, where they were buried in 1909.

Originally, the building above the tomb was rectangular. The superstructure, over which the building's dome is erected, is made of Italian granite and marble, and the dome itself is covered with gilded Dutch tiles. Construction was completed in 1953. Since then, the tomb building with a white colonnade and a shining golden dome has become the hallmark of the Bahai Gardens, and then of the whole of Haifa. In 2008, large-scale restoration of the tomb began. The site of the Shrine of the Bab and the monumental garden terraces surrounding it, together with the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh and its surroundings north of the Garden of Ridwan, were named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008.

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Mount Carmel

Mount Carmel is a long mountain range located in northern Israel, near Haifa. On the territory of this massif there are several natural parks, reserves and beautiful gardens that attract the attention of tourists.

The Carmel mountain range stretches for as much as 39 kilometers, with an average width of 8 kilometers. The height of this plateau is relatively small - in the very high place Carmel rises only 545 meters. The word “Carmel” itself translated into Russian means “God’s vineyard” - in former times the slopes of this mountain were indeed covered with wild grape vines, but now almost nothing remains of its former splendor.

Today this mountain is a fairly populated place. In the northwest, the city of Haifa is gradually occupying the peaks of Carmel - the elite are located on the plateau residential areas, as well as the main building of the University of Haifa. However, in the south the mountain has still retained its natural resources, and it is there that protected reserves and natural parks are located.

The Baha'i complex, surrounded by luxurious Persian gardens, is located on the slope of Mount Carmel in Haifa.

In the center is the tomb of the Bab, topped with a tall golden dome. The sanctuary is framed by Persian gardens, the terraces are connected by white stone stairs. The terraces were designed in 1987 by the architect Faribors Sahba, who gained fame as the creator of the famous “Lotus Temple” in New Delhi. The gardens are located on 19 terraces on the slopes of Mount Carmel, their length is a kilometer, the difference between the top and bottom points is 225 meters. The complex was created with voluntary donations from members of the World Baha'i Community.

The Persian Gardens have been open to the public since 2001. They are the most striking attraction of Haifa and its calling card.

Turkish bazaar

The Turkish Bazaar is currently a small municipal market located in the historical part ancient city Acre, next to the ancient Al-Jazzar mosque.

The foundation of the market dates back to the 18th century. In the middle of the last century, due to the unstable situation in the country, the market was abandoned and fell into disrepair.

However, more recently the market has been reconstructed, although nowhere near its original size. Nowadays there is a small market in a traditional oriental style, which specializes in selling trinkets and souvenirs for tourists.

Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes

You can visit the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes if you find yourself in Israel, in the city of Tabgha. There, almost on the very shore of Lake Tiberias, on the ruins of two old churches, the Catholic Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes was built in the 20th century. According to legend, this is exactly the place where the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fishes by Jesus took place.

In the courtyard of the church there is a fountain with fish swimming in it. The interior of the church is decorated very modestly, so as not to overshadow the mosaics in the church building - a unique example of Christian art of the 5th century. Preservation of ancient mosaics is the principle of the architectural design of this project. It is these mosaics that distinguish the church from the rest and make it unique.

Armageddon Valley

The Armageddon Valley is one of the most popular attractions among tourists who visit Israel.

The valley is famous for the fact that, according to early Jewish sources, it is considered the site of the last battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil, the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness. This tradition passed into Christian theology thanks to John the Theologian, who also mentions this valley in the revelations of the Apocalypse.

The Armageddon Valley is part of the Israelite Valley and is located near Mount Tel Megiddo. In addition to stories from various traditions, the valley is the site of many historically accurate decisive battles.

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Kishon River

The Kishon River is the “ancient” river of Israel - the Holy Land, where you can touch the mysteries of the universe. The Kishon River gained its popularity for a reason; the reason for this was the repeated mention of it in the Bible.

The modern Kishon River, which is 70 kilometers long, is very polluted by industrial waste, especially the situation is critical in the Haifa area. Industrial wastewater has made the Kishon River unsuitable for fish. Authorities are doing everything they can to stop the pollution catastrophe.

The most popular attractions in Haifa with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Haifa on our website.

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More attractions of Haifa

Haifa is a bright, bustling and diverse city that attracts the attention of tourists no less than other cities in Israel, such as Jerusalem or Eilat. There are so many interesting and new attractions on its territory that a trip here promises to be one of the most memorable.

Haifa's main attractions

In the 18th century, the monks managed to buy land on Carmel Hill in order to build the Stella Maris monastery on it again. The religious complex was badly damaged during Napoleon's invasion and was then completely destroyed. In the 19th century, the monastery was rebuilt, and since then it has become the main spiritual center for Carmelites from all over the world.

There are several attractions on the territory of the monastery:

ancient lighthouse;
statue of Our Lady;
mass grave;

rich library;
museum exhibition;
way "Via Dolorosa".

The main temple of the monastery looks very restrained and austere from the outside, but inside there are many charming details, from painted domes to marble floors and stained glass windows. In the basilica, under the altar, there is an important shrine of the Carmelites - an ancient cave, inside of which, according to legend, lived Elijah the Prophet. Judging by the legends, the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus stopped here on their way from Nazareth.

In addition, in Haifa there is Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes- a temple dedicated to a great biblical event, as well as a monastery of Clarissa nuns, several ancient synagogues and ancient mosques. Some of them can be entered for free when there are no prayers in the sanctuaries.

City museums

Haifa is a leader in the number of diverse museums. There are many exhibitions dedicated to the culture and history of not only the city, but the entire country. For those who wish to visit most of them, it is possible to purchase a single pass for entry to six museums:

Museum of City History;

Haifa Art Museum;
Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art;
National Maritime Museum;

Hermann Struck Museum;
Manet Katz Museum.

Looks very impressive National Museum Sciences, planning and technology and its collection of interactive exhibits that allow you to learn more about the laws of technology, including those that were discovered in Israel.

Also worthy of attention Museum of Illegal Immigration and the Navy– an exhibition divided into two parts. The first exhibition provides an opportunity to learn how the struggle for the right to immigrate to Israel took place. The main exhibit is the ship on which future residents of Israel illegally moved into the country from 1933 to 1948. The second part of the museum is the history of the Navy, including many items that allow you to learn more about it: anchors, ships and documentation.

What else to see in Haifa?

Usually people come to Haifa solely to visit the magnificent beaches of the Mediterranean coast, but once here, every traveler has a great opportunity to organize an independent, exciting excursion to the vibrant sights of the city.

The most popular place for walking is Central Carmel- the place where the Auditorium arts center is located, the Mother's Garden park and a large zoo inside. You should definitely take a walk along the Louis Promenade, the main promenade of the city, located at the top of the entrance to the Bahai Gardens.

Among the attractions, it is worth highlighting the old Train Station Haifa, Binyamin Park, the German and Government Quarters, Paris Square with a complex of ancient buildings, as well as the metro, which has become the shortest metro in the world.

Haifa and its attractions will definitely appeal to tourists. In a city with an unusual atmosphere, there are quite a few places where you can learn more about the history and culture of the country.

The article does not pretend to cover all attractions; it reflects the individual experience of our blogger.

Haifa, Israel, is dazzling in the sun, but its beauty remains undiminished in the cold moonlight, when the Mediterranean city is bathed in millions of lights. She gives tourists sandy beaches, cleanliness mountain air, paths lost in the forests, and the opportunity to enjoy life.

Shrines of Haifa

The city bears the title of the northern gate of Israel. From here it is convenient to start your journey to the mysterious Galilee. The city of Haifa is famous for its architecture, but that's not the only thing it offers visitors. It will take a lot of time to visit all the sights of Haifa.

The eighth wonder of the world

Splendor and harmony - this is what you can say when looking at the Bahai Gardens of Haifa. Like a living stream, they flow smoothly towards the sea, decorating the slope of Mount Carmel. Symmetrical terraces with fountains run across half of the city, creating a festive and sophisticated atmosphere. The Gardens have 19 terraces that recreate the Persian style with neat alleys with decoratively trimmed bushes. Tours of the gardens begin from the upper platforms. Stone steps lead down, along which water flows quietly. The gardens are magnificent at any time of the day. In the light of the sun it is sophistication, and at night it is the sparkle of lights.

The gardens, which are nine regular circles, radiate in waves from the central temple. Harmonious combinations of metal and stone, beautiful fountains, ideal alleys and lawns decorated with exotic flowers make them the eighth wonder of the world.

Monastery of Stella Maris

The name literally sounds like “Star of the Sea”. Here the mountain, going down to the coast, meets the water surface Mediterranean Sea. At the top there is a monastery and a church of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. The attraction is not only of tourist importance - it is a place of worldwide pilgrimage. The church was often attacked, so its appearance is unusual: there are almost no windows on the lower floor, and the existing ones are covered with thick bars.

The Bahai Temple - the nine-pointed star of the new faith

This building is the center of the Bahai faith. The temple is crowned with a 40-meter gilded dome, the walls are made of Italian marble, and the entrance is decorated with granite columns. Its shape resembles the configuration of a nine-pointed star. Many world artifacts claim participation in the biography of the prophet Elijah, but only a cave in the depths of the mountain claims the right to be authentic.

The floor is covered with carpets, and along the walls there are cabinets with sacred Jewish books. There is a small niche in the wall, covered with a curtain, where everyone can pray in complete privacy. Here the prophet Eliyahu (Elijah) hid from the enemy, Queen Jezebel. He spent the night in the cave before talking with the priests of Baal, whom he then killed.

To have a good rest, learn some facts about city life:

Haifa is an hour's train ride from Ben Gurion Airport. The complex receives planes not only from Moscow, but also from other Russian cities. The flight from the capital takes three hours. It also has rail connections to Jerusalem, Netanya, Acre, Nahariya and Beersheba. You should take into account the time difference: minus an hour.
The city lies in a humid subtropical climate - hot summers and comfortable winter weather, when the thermometer does not drop below +10C. Best time for visiting – from May to October. During these months the weather is sunny and the amount of precipitation is negligible.
It is beneficial to stay in one of the hostels, where you can spend the night and have breakfast in a calm, almost homely atmosphere. There are many restaurants in the city offering dishes different countries. The oldest pub, Little Haifa, is popular with a wide selection of beer and other alcoholic drinks.
The main attraction is the biblical Carmel.
Haifa is somewhat exclusive. Only here there is an underground cable car.
Due to the high humidity, there is no dust on the streets, so clothes and shoes remain clean for a long time.
This the only city in a country where Saturday is public transport- not a day off.
Taxis have meters programmed with two tariffs.