Acre (Akko)
The city's fascinating historical heritage, a rare blend of East and West, authentic sights from the past, has made Acre one of the most important cities of the ancient world. Acre is one of Israel's World Heritage Sites.
The walls of the city, its fortresses and citadels, its churches and mosques and the other buildings tells the history of the many rulers who governed, fought and built the City.
In Acre see the fingerprints of many peoples and religious movements: the Canaanites, the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Mamelukes, the Turks and the British.
Acre's colorful Oriental Markets, the City Walls, Museums and beaches, Fisherman's Port, the Marina, restaurants and the annual festivals that are held in Acre - are just a few of the city's attractions.
What to See:
The Walls of Acre - Old Acre is surrounded by walls in the shape of an irregular pentagon. One wall has survived virtually intact, while only parts of the others remain. The wall system was built in stages between 1750 and 1840.
The most important of the subterranean remains from the Crusaders is located in the northern part of the Old City. It was the headquarters of the Order of the Hospitalers (the Knights of St. John). It is an extensive building complex with many halls and rooms built around an open central courtyard.
Hamam al Basha (The Turkish Bath) - One of the most fascinating sites in the Old City is the public bathhouse which was built in 1795 by El-Jazar in the format of the Oriental bathhouses that were common in the Turkish Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries. The bathhouse building is an elegant one and is adorned with marble floors and imported ceramic tiles. Enjoy a fascinating and educational Sound and Light experience of the history of Old Acre through the eyes of the Bath Attendant, Haj Bashir, who weaves the story of the Turkish Baths with the history of Acre and its active social life.
The Templar's Tunnel - During the second half of the 12th century the members of the Templar Order began building their quarter in the south-western part of Acre. A tunnel led eastward from the fortress, the remains of which are now covered by sea. The lower part of the tunnel was carved from natural stone and its upper part was built covered by a semi-barreled dome.
The El-Jazar Mosque is the largest mosque in Israel outside of Jerusalem. The building still dominates the Acre skyline.
The Citadel was part of the city's defensive formation and during the 20th century was used mainly as a prison and as a gallows site. During the British Mandate, Jewish Zionist resistance members were imprisoned and executed there.
Khan Al-Omdan - a large merchants' Inn near the port which was used for International Trade. Merchants who arrived at the port unloaded their goods at the storerooms of the inn, on the first floor, and stayed in the rooms on the second floor, which formed a unique hotel. The Khan was built in the late 18th century by Ahmed El- Jazer.
Markets
The Turkish Bazaar was built at the end of the 18th century as a municipal market. The bazaar has recently reopened as an artisans and artists bazaar.
The White Market (Shuq Al-Abiad) was built by Dahar Al Omer, destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in 1817 by Suleiman Pasha. It takes it name from the white limestone from which it is built. The market is unusual in character, since the street and the market are designed as a single unit.
Market Street is the main street of the Old City and runs from the north to the south. The main market of Old Acre is located on this route, a colorful market with many stalls selling sweet oriental pastries and spices.
Where to Eat
Acre offers a wide range of dining options - from traditional Middle Eastern Quick food, like falafel and humus, to restaurants specializing in fish, seafood.
Acre (Akko)
A rare blend of East and West has made Acre one of the most important cities of the ancient world.
Keywords: Acre, World Heritage Site, Templar's Tunnel, The Turkish Bathhouse, El-Jazar Mosque, Markets, the Knights of St.John, Citadel