The Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa – 19 designed terraced gardens overlooking an exquisite landscape
The combination between the unique design, the geometric shapes and the impressive gardening turned the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa into one of the most popular tourism sites not only in the city but in the entire Middle East.
Background of the Bahá’í Belief
The Bahá’í religion was established in the 10th century, and has since spread worldwide. About five million believers, reflecting a variety of people, ethnic groups and races across the world, are scattered among 205 different countries and territories worldwide. The Prophet-Founder Bahá’ú’lláh, who lived his last years in Akko, instructed, prior to his death, to bury the remains of the Prophet Herald – The Báb in the city of Haifa, and establish the Bahá’í community’s administrative institution next to his burial place. Consequently, the cities of Akko and Haifa, and the geographical sequence between the holy sites of the Bahá’í religion, led to the establishment of the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa and a corresponding garden in Akko.
A unique design and an indelible exciting experience
The Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa and Akko are designed in a uniform and common architectural line, together narrating and reflecting the beliefs and customs of the Bahá’í community, and even attest to the religion historical development, which regards itself as the continuation of the big religions we are all familiar with. The unique design combination of the Bahá’í Gardens impresses every visitor. Therefore many re-visit the gardens, being impresses by the seasonal changes and experience once again the sense of serenity accompanying the visit to these gardens.
19 gardens, 450 plant types, 1700 stairs
The Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa consist of 19 terraced designed gardens. They begin at the top of Mount Carmel and end at the German Colony neighborhood located at its foot and extend along about one Kilometer with about 1700 stairs crossing them. The gardens themselves contain approximately 450 types of various floras, selected according to their external appearance, such as color and height, but not less important according to their ability to survive without much irrigation. A stroll in the various gardens will reveal to you not only their beauty and the sense of uniqueness they evoke in the visitors, but also to the breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Haifa, the Galilee Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.
In 2008 the Bahá’í Gardens, both in Haifa and Akko, were recognized as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in recognition of their universal value as holy places and places of pilgrimage for many followers of the Bahá’í Faith, as well as more than half a million people visiting each year the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa and in Akko.
Reaching the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa
You may visit the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa on all week days, excluding Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), days of Bahá’í Holidays and rainy days on which visitors may be in danger of slipping on the wet paths. You may enjoy an independent stroll in each of the three parts of the garden or participate in one of the guided tours in the gardens, free of charge and without pre-coordination.
Getting off at the Gan-Ha’em station will lead you to the upper entrance of the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa. At the end of Louis Promenade there is an observation balcony, overlooking the gardens and the breathtaking view of Haifa Bay and the Galilee Mountains. A short walk along the street (45 Yefe Nof St.) will lead you to the starting point of the panoramic tour. An additional entrance is located at Hazionut Avenue, a little more than a walking distance from Massada Station. The bottom entrance to the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa is located in the German Colony, within a walking distance from Paris Square Station downtown. On the way to the gardens you may also see Ben-Gurion Avenue, which crosses the colony and offers a variety of restaurants, cafes and galleries.