The Bahai Gardens are undoubtedly the most distinctive and popular tourist destination in Haifa and are visited by tens of thousands of tourists and locals each year. This place is known as the Bahai faith’s holiest place. The monotheistic Bahá’í Faith, which has its roots in nineteenth-century Persia, emphasizes the spiritual oneness of all people.

The Bahai Gardens are a special place for all Baha’i believers. According to the sacred books, the purity of the gardens determines a person’s spirituality and reflects his inner world. This is most likely why the Bahai gardens are so large, well-kept, and clean.

Last year alone, 750,000 people visited the Bahai Gardens, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Here is an overview of The Bahai Gardens that should be helpful if you intend to visit it as well:

General information

On Mount Carmel in Israel, there is a large park called Bahai Gardens that has tropical plants. The gardens in the city of Haifa are regarded as the eighth wonder of the world. One of Israel’s most ambitious and well-known landmarks, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008.

The Bahai Gardens in Haifa cover almost 20 hectares of land. About 90 employees and volunteers maintain the garden’s beautiful floral arrangements, keep an eye on the fountains, and pick up trash. The gardens were built using funding donated by the followers of the Bahá’í faith, totaling about $250 million. One interesting fact is that donations and other forms of assistance from representatives of other religions are not welcomed.

Garden’s Tour

The daily English tour departs at noon and is free of charge. There is no need to make a reservation. Throughout the day, additional tours are provided in both Hebrew and Russian. The guided tour is the most effective way to appreciate the gardens fully. Haifa Bay serves as a magnificent backdrop as well.

However, remember to book a good tour guide for the VIP experience. You can find experienced tour guides online, on websites like Holy Land VIP Tours. Holy Land VIP Tours is a Christian private tour company located in Israel.

The tour ends right before the Shrine of the Bab after beginning at the main gate and winding down. Rember to carry comfortable walking shoes because the tour has 600 steps and lasts about 45 minutes.

The Bahá’í Gardens Construction

Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba created the terrace complex in the Barai Gardens. He started his work on the gardens in 1987. The terraces, which cover almost 200,000 square meters of land, were made public after the construction was finished in 2001.

The terraces symbolize the first eighteen disciples of the Bab. Nine terraces rise from the Shrine to the highest point of the gardens, and nine terraces descend. The central terrace contains the Báb Shrine, totaling nineteen terraces. Both the Bahá’í and Bábí religions place great significance on the number 19.

The Shrine of the Báb

The Bab Shrine is situated in the heart of the gardens. It is accessible to the public between 9 and 12 a.m. and serves as the final resting spot of the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith. The dome of the Shrine is covered with 12,000 glazed ceramic tiles with a thin coating of gold leaf.

The entire complex has a postcard-perfect appearance thanks to this gleaming golden dome and vibrant upper and lower gardens! The Universal House of Justice, a neoclassical building with Corinthian columns close to the center, and the Archives Building, which resembles the Parthenon, are both nearby. Tourists cannot enter these administrative buildings, though.

Things to Know Before Visiting Bahá’í Gardens

The Bahá’i Gardens is a sacred place. As a result, there are a few things you should know before visiting it:

Visitors are asked to dress modestly, covering their shoulders and knees.
It is advisable to carry comfortable shoes due to the pebbled paths and occasionally smooth pavements.
If you have sensitive skin, bring a hat and sunscreen in the summer;

The total number of steps from top to bottom is approximately 1,700.
The tour is not advised for those who have breathing or knee issues or who have difficulty walking;
Bring a bottle of water with you; But remember that visitors are not permitted to eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum inside the gardens;
Everywhere except inside shrines is photo-friendly;
Visitors are not allowed to bring pets;

Leave your weapons at home, if you have any, as visitors are not allowed to enter with weapons.

Conclusion

The Baha’i Faith has several famous holy sites in northern Israel, including the Shrine of the Bab, the nineteen terraces scaling the summit of Mount Carmel in Haifa, the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, and the Shrine of Baha’u’llah in Akka, with gardens radiating outward in every direction. Millions have seen these beautiful gardens of people all over the world.

The Bahai gardens were created to be both aesthetically pleasing and to arouse in visitors a desire to comprehend the significance of the place.