Bahai Gardens in Haifa (Israel)

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The wonderful climate, ancient history and special location attract thousands of tourists to Israel. Here, on the coast of three seas, there are beautiful resorts and famous he alth resorts, ancient architectural complexes and monuments. And of course, tens of thousands of believers from all over the world visit Israel every year. In the main city of the country - Jerusalem - there are shrines of three world religions at once: the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Muslim Al-Aqsa Mosque. It is not surprising that it was on the Promised Land that the eighth wonder of the world appeared - the temple and gardens of the Baha'i - the youngest religion in the world.

The Baha'i religion

This religious direction arose quite recently, in the middle of the nineteenth century. Its founder is the Persian Said Ali Muhammad, who later took the name Bab ("Gate") and declared himself the only harbinger of the Messiah. Despite the fact that his prediction did not come true, and the Bab himself was executed along with many of his associates, the Baha'i religion continued to live andevolve.

Today there are more than five million Bahá'ís all over the world. On the part of the official world religions, the attitude towards the young teaching is complex: from complete denial to persecution. However, this new belief is attracting more and more people around the world. The fact is that the postulates of Bahaism intersect with modern humanistic ideas of tolerance, tolerance and equality, which are close to many people. Preachers of the new religion believe that the world is one, and God is one for all, and they believe that humanity will eventually unite and peace will come on earth.

The Bahá'ís teach their children all major religions and give them the right after the age of sixteen to choose their own path to faith on their own. Almost all representatives of the Baha'is are distinguished by an excellent education, as they believe that a person should study all his life.

Bahaism is called the new world religion precisely because it does not belong to one specific territory, but is spread all over the world.

And the Baha'is also create magnificent landscape gardening complexes in different countries as symbols of harmony and beauty of the world. The most famous and grandiose Bahai Gardens are located in one of the largest cities in Israel - Haifa.

History of the creation of the complex

Haifa is a beautiful and cozy city located on the Mediterranean Sea on the slopes of Mount Carmel. In this wonderful bright city, of course, there is something to see and where to visit. But when the Bahai Gardens appeared in Haifa in the mid-twentieth century, they rightfully took a firm hold.place of the main city attraction. The construction of the Baha'i Temple and its surrounding magnificent terraces with amazing gardens took ten years and was completed in 1957.

The architect of the grandiose complex Faribors Sahba created this architectural masterpiece as a hymn to the harmony and beauty of the world. It is noteworthy that the construction of the Bahai shrine was carried out exclusively with donations from people who profess the youngest religion in the world. Money from other sources or individuals was categorically rejected. Even the funding offered by the city was directed by the Baha'is to refurbish houses located in the nearby area, but not to the complex itself. In 2001, the Baha'i Gardens were brought to perfect condition, open to the public and since then have amazed the imagination and left a deep imprint on the soul of any person who was lucky enough to get into this special place. Faribors Sahba completely succeeded in his grandiose plan. It is symbolic that the gardens are built from materials brought from various countries. In total, the Baha'is spent two hundred and fifty million dollars on the construction of the temple and the garden.

Architectural solution

The Bahai Gardens in Haifa, Israel, thanks to the original architectural solution, resemble sea waves that naturally roll down from the top of Mount Carmel into the Mediterranean Sea. The central place in the garden and park complex is occupied by the Baha'i temple with a golden dome, into which the uninitiated are not allowed to enter. The remains of the founder of the religion Baba are buried here. From the templedescending nineteen semi-circular terraces of lush vegetation, one above the other, and a magnificent staircase, which the Baha'is call the "way of kings".

They say that the supporters of the new religion dream that when the leaders of all countries pass this ladder, peace will come to the whole earth. In general, all the stories associated with this place are very beautiful, as are all the ideas of the Bahá'ís and their unusual gardens.

Rare plants

Of course, amazing plants that adorn the Bahai Gardens deserve special attention. The terraces of the complex are not similar to each other, although they are generally built in the Persian style. Each is framed in its own way, where everything is subject to a certain idea. There are no random elements here. Each vase, fountain, sculpture, tree or flower has a meaning and purpose.

More than four hundred species of plants can be found in the Bahai Gardens in Haifa, and photos of them adorn all the tourist avenues of the city. There are many very ancient plants here, known since the time of King Solomon. One can meet the Jerusalem pine and the evergreen olive, the carob tree and the legendary sycamore tree, in whose dense shade the ancient travelers rested. It is impossible to list all the beautiful and legendary trees that grow and bloom on the terraces of the garden. These are myrtle, almond, eucalyptus, araucaria, tamarisk and palm trees of various forms. And of course, countless fragrant shrubs, flowers and herbs complete the perfect picture.

The combination of graceful and refined architecture, lush greenery, abundance of water that flows from numerous fountains, and the proximity of a cloudless sky over Mount Carmel really create an impression of universal harmony and evoke the brightest feelings in the souls of guests.

Another feature of the park and garden complex is that the plants here are selected in such a way that the gardens bloom all year round, even in winter.

Garden Maintenance

This grandiose park is maintained by only ninety professional gardeners who are very highly qualified and have rich experience. Their work requires full commitment and incredible diligence. The photo of the Bahai Gardens shows how perfect and well-groomed the plants on the terraces look. Gardeners work tirelessly all year round. For these people, their work is very honorable and is a kind of daily prayer to the Baha'i shrine.

From time to time, Baha'i volunteers from all over the world come to the aid of park staff. It is a great honor for them.

Features of visiting gardens

Getting into the Bahai temple and garden complex is not easy. And only Baha'is are allowed to enter the central temple. The morning hours in the Bahai Gardens in Haifa are the traditional time for tourists to visit. You can come here only as part of an excursion group with an obligatory Baha'i guide. He will talk about the meaning, meaning and history of the Bahai Gardens. Tours are conducted in three languages: Hebrew, English and Russian. Before the tour, be sure to checkwhat language will it be in the group.

On the territory of the gardens it is forbidden to use phones, take food with you, only water. Strict requirements are also imposed on the appearance, clothing and behavior of tourists visiting the garden.

The gardens are often closed to visitors, so it's best to prepare for the tour in advance.

The eighth wonder of the world

In 2008, the Bahai Gardens in Israel were officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. But back in 2001, when opened to visitors, the garden and park complex was declared the eighth wonder of the world. The Bahai Gardens are fully worthy of this status. This is grandeur, beauty and harmony in its purest form. Everyone who has visited this extraordinary place notes the special aura surrounding it.

Bahai Gardens at night

The complex fascinates and amazes all year round, regardless of the time of day. And yet, judging by the reviews, the Bahai Gardens are a special, mystical sight at night.

Beautifully illuminated terraces, ponds, steps create a fascinating impression. Bright garlands, golden lights, flickering light make the complex look like a huge gem. And the "Way of Kings" staircase is lit in such a way that closer to the top of the mountain, the artificial light is dimmed, and it seems that the staircase goes up, straight into the sky.

The evergreen Baha'i garden is a symbol of harmony

Yearly thousands of tourists and believers visit Baihai Gardens. Everyone who has visited this wonderful place leaves it in their memories forever. Maybemaybe someday the bright dreams of the followers of the youngest Baha'i religion will come true. People will understand that God is one for all. The rulers of all countries will ascend the "path of kings" and there will be world peace.