There are many preserved monuments of the Middle Ages in the world, but, perhaps, it is difficult to find a whole city that carried through the ages all the greatness and charm of the Crusader era. This is the Israeli Akko . One of the oldest cities in the world with an amazing multifaceted history. He keeps in himself the secrets of the brave Templars and the spirit of the mighty Ottoman Empire, while not losing the authentic features of the resort Israeli town on the Mediterranean coast.
Religious attractions Akko
Religion has always been a "red thread" passed through all the Israeli lands, no matter under whose authority they were. In Akko, many religious buildings have survived, having a deep sacred meaning for representatives of various faiths. It:
- The Tunisian synagogue "Or A Torah" was built in 1950 on the donations of representatives of the Tunisian Diaspora and Israelis, the facade of the building is decorated with 6 beautiful arches with sections of the Torah, inside many painted mosaics and stained-glass windows (can be visited from 09:30 to 12:30 with Sundays to Fridays, except Tunisians, Ashkenazi and Sephardim pray here);
- The Dzheszar Mosque - a monument of Ottoman architecture with elements of Persian and Byzantine style, built in the XVIII century, the mosque is recognized as the second most beautiful in all Israel after the Jerusalem Dome of the Rock, from far away it is visible its emerald dome and high minaret (open daily from 08:00 to 17:00 , on Friday there is a break for visitors from 11:00 to 13:00);
- The Bahai Park is the main shrine of the followers of the Bahá'í Faith, there is a house museum and a mausoleum of Bahá'u'lláh who founded this religion (the entrance to the park is free every day, you can get to the museum only in the morning (09: 00-12: 00) from Friday to Monday).
Representatives of different nationalities and religions live in Akko, so other religious buildings can be found in the city, but for foreign tourists they are of little interest.
Attractions in the Accra era of the Crusaders
For historians is still a mystery, as in the city, which assaulted the armies of Egyptians, Phoenicians, Englishmen, Romans and Greeks, so many architectural monuments of the Middle Ages were preserved in such an ideal state. And, it's not just ruins or fragments of ancient buildings and structures, but whole architectural objects and compositions. These include:
- The Acre Citadel was erected in the middle of the 18th century, at various times it was the residence of the Akko rulers, a warehouse of weapons and even a prison (inside the Citadel there is an underground museum, an adult ticket costs 10 shekels, a child ticket costs 5 shekels, works every day except Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00, Friday is a short day);
- The tunnel of the Templars - this truly unique sight of Israel in Akko was discovered quite accidentally during the repair of the sewage system only at the end of the 20th century, once this tunnel connected the knight's fortress with the seaport (entrance to the tunnel costs 10 shekels, open for tourists daily);
- walls of the Acre - all began in the middle of the XVIII century with the construction of a small wall a little more than 10 meters high and 1 meter thick, in the following 90 years the walls were gradually strengthened and supplemented with new protective structures;
- the Hospitaller monastery - the internal premises were used by members of the Order of St. John for overnight stays, meals and various ceremonies, as well as for storing food supplies and weapons, especially the former dining room and the refectorium (the entrance for tourists is open in summer from 08:30 to 17 : 30, in the winter from 08:30 to 16:30).
Also to the sights of Acre of this period is the Magic Garden . Previously, it adorned the territory adjacent to the fortress, and today is a favorite place for walking local people and tourists. It often hosts city concerts and various entertainment events.
Attractions of the Acre of the Ottoman Period
For a long time, the city of Akko existed after the total destruction of the Mamluks by the troops in the form of a poor fishing village, until the Turks-Ottomans conquered it in the 16th century. This was the starting point for the new history of the city. The Ottoman period is marked by the rapid development of Acre and left behind many outstanding sights. Among them:
- hammam Al-Basha - a Turkish bath, which is more than 220 years old, with a huge marble fountain and a large steam bath, all tourists are shown a light and sound show dedicated to the history of Akko in the Turkish period (an adult entrance ticket costs 25 shekels, a children's ticket costs 18 shekels);
- Khan Al-Umdan (Khan Column) - one of the largest Khans in Israel with a clock tower and many columns, there is a large well in the courtyard, various events, festivals and concerts are often held here;
- Khan Al-Faranji is the oldest of all the Khans in Akko, it was built by the French and used for a long time to accommodate foreign representatives and ambassadors, which is why it received its second name "ambassadorial inn";
- Khan A-Shuarda - a building with a large courtyard and the surviving tower of the Crusaders, today there are several cafes, shops and other services in the territory of Khan;
- Khan A-Shun - only a part of the buildings that used to be located around the rectangular courtyard have survived, today this Khan is in an abandoned state.
Special attention of tourists is worthy of the Turkish markets. Many centuries ago they were the main meeting place of foreign merchants who drove their goods to the famous port city of Acre from all sides. Today, mainly fruit, spices and souvenirs are traded here.
What else to see in Acre?
- aqueduct of Cabri-Acre ;
- the Okashi Museum ;
- Farhi's house ;
- underground museum ;
- boat harbor ;
- the embankment ;
- ethnographic museum .