Shrine of the Báb, Israel

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Country: Israel

Baha'i Shrine (Shrine of the Bab)
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Idea Description

General Information

Description

The Shrine of the Báb is a structure in Haifa (the largest city in northern Israel) where the remains of Báb, the founder of Bábism and messenger of Bahá'u'lláh in the Bahá'í Faith, have been laid to rest. It is located on Mount Carmel and was designed by Bahá'u'lláh himself. The structure was designed and completed in 1909 by his grandson, Shoghi Effendi. The building base represent an octagon with an 18-windowed drum on the top of it and a dome which crowns the shrine. A series of arches supported by columns surround the building. There are no ceremonies or religious services in the Shrine. It is a place for a quiet prayer and meditation. A prayer, known as the Tablet of Visitation, is on the wall of the Shrine in an Arabic and English translation. Surrounded by 19 terraced gardens, which run from the base of Mount Carmel to its summit for 0.5 miles (1 km), the Shrine is visited by millions of tourists and worshipers. The Baha'i Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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What Makes It Special

It is considered to be the second holiest place on Earth for Baha'is, the followers of the Baha'i Faith, after the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh in Acre. The followers of Bahá'í Faith believe in the unity of all religions and believe that messengers of God like Jesus, Moses and Muhammad, though sent with different doctrines at different times, brought the same message. The shrine is a vivid illustration of the religion where western and eastern architectural styles intertwine like Baha'is believes. It has them all - the granite columns of Rome, the Corinthian capitals of ancient Greece, and intricate arches of the Arab culture. 19 garden terraces surrounding the Shrine stretch one kilometer from the foot of Mount Carmel to its summit attracting millions of visitors every year. The whole complex is illuminated at night.

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Directions To Destination

By plain: Haifa has its own airport, which serves flights to Tel Aviv and Eilat. If you arrive to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, you can flight to Haifa.

By train: Haifa is well connected to Tel Aviv, Akko (Acre), Beer Sheva and the Ben Gurion International Airport by train. The trip takes a little more than an hour.

By car: Route 2 is the coastal highway which links Haifa with Tel Aviv. This journey takes approximately an hour and a half.

By bus: You can travel by Egged buses from Tel Aviv (910), Jerusalem (940,947), Afula (301) or almost any city in the region to Haifa. During the Sabbath, you'll have to resort to a shared taxi (sherut), most of which leave from near Tel Aviv's central bus station. In Haifa, sheruts provide cheap frequent services around Haifa and its suburbs.

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Best Time To Go

All year round.

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Where To Stay

- Villa Carmel Boutique Haifa (five star): rates from $170, Fashionable cafes, gourmet restaurants, designer shops, museums as well as the Louis Promenade and the famous Baha’i Gardens are all within walking distance from the hotel.
- Gallery Hotel (four star): rates from $240. Located in the center of Haifa within 25-minute walk from Baha'i Shrine and Gardens. Research and book hotels in or near Haifa, Israel

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Activities

Sightseeing, walking.

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Useful Visitor Information and Tips

- Opening hours: Shrine - daily 9 am - noon; Gardens - daily 9 am - 5 pm; admission is free. You need guided tour to see the gardens. Modest, not revealing attire is required, no shorts
- The 0.5 miles (about 1 km) walk through the complex can be challenging. It is a rather steep climb to the summit of Mount Carmel.
- You can rent a car or take a taxi to Panorama Road which gives a beautiful view of The Shrine, Gardens and The Mediterranean Sea.
- Visit the German Colony (established by Temple society, a German Protestant sect (not the Knights of Templars)) located at the lower level of Baha'i Gardens.

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Additional Information

Tags: Bab; Babism; Bahai Faith; Bahai Gardens; Bahai Shrine; Bahaullah; German Colony; Haifa (2); Israel (6); Mount Carmel; Shrine of the Bab (2); Tablet of Visitation; terraced gardens

Web Sites: Israel Travel and Israel Hotels Guide

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