Israel - Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee

The Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee are inscribed for their profound spiritual meaning and the testimony they bear to the strong tradition of pilgrimage in the Bahá’i faith. The property includes the two most holy places in the Bahá’í religion associated with the founders, the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in Acre and the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, together with their surrounding gardens, associated buildings and monuments. These two shrines are part of a larger complex of buildings, monuments and sites at seven distinct locations in Haifa and Western Galilee that are visited as part of the Bahá’i pilgrimage.

The Bahá’í faith originated in 1844 with the declaration 

of its Prophet-Herald, the Báb, in the city of Shíráz, Iran. 

The rapid spread of the new creed was met by savage 

persecution, and the execution of the Báb in 1850. His 

follower Bahá’u’lláh a Persian nobleman, became the 

focus for the new faith. After persecution and banishment 

to various parts of the Ottoman Empire, he arrived in 

Acre in 1868. Bahá’u’lláh spent the remaining 24 years 

of his life in Western Galilee compiling the scriptures 

that are the foundation of the Bahá’í faith and 

establishing a spiritual and administrative centre for the 

religion. He became known  as the Prophet-Founder. 

After his death he was succeeded as spiritual leader - first 

by his son, Abdu’l-Bahá and then his grandson, Shoghi 

Effendi