Walking in downtown Haifa — the Bahai Gardens and German Colony
The Bahai Gardens
No tourist visit to Haifa is complete without a visit to the Bahá’í Gardens. These are a series of 19 stunning terraced gardens cascading down the northern slope of Mount Carmel that are centered around the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb. The gardens blend Persian, European, and Mediterranean styles to symbolize the Bahá’í vision of the oneness of humanity. The formal gardens along the terraces blend on either side with native trees and wildflowers. The site is both a sacred pilgrimage destination and a symbol of peace and beauty that is open to everyone without payment.
The book that every Anglo visitor and resident of Israel really needs!
The best selling "In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone - The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Pools" is available on Amazon and in Jerusalem bookstores. Click here for a description of the book, a short movie, and its incredible reviews.
The Bahá’í Gardens were built primarily as a spiritual and administrative center for the Bahá’í Faith and to honor the resting place of the Báb, one of the central figures of their religion. The nineteen terraces stretch for about kilometer up the mountain. The terraces were built in stages, although the current design surrounding the Shrine of the Báb was constructed between 1987 and 2001. The gardens overpass several roads. They were officially opened to the public in 2001.
​
The geometrically precise and symmetrical designs, which incorporates elements from different cultures, represent the core Bahá’í values of harmony, order, and universality. The use of many types of flora symbolizes the beauty of diversity, with all humanity being one garden with many unique plants.
The Báb’s remains were initially interred on Mount Carmel in 1909, fulfilling a directive by Bahá’u’lláh (the founder of the Bahá’í Faith). The Shrine of the Báb was completed in 1953, earlier than the gardens. The gardens are part of the Bahá’í World Centre, which includes administrative buildings, such as the Universal House of Justice.
VIEWING THE GARDENS
There is a short balcony at 61 Yefe Nof St. from which the entire expanse of the Terrace can be viewed. This is a short distance from where the Upper Terrace Tour starts.
The Terraces can be visited by reservation or walk-in tour. The Upper Terrance Tour starts at 45 Yefe Nof St. This can be easily reached by public transport (use Moovit), and if coming by car there may be parking on the street. The times and language of the tours (there are Hebrew and English tours) are available on line and should be booked to assure a place. Click here for their website:
​
The outer gardens (this is not the complete Terraces) are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance is on Terrace 1 (on Ben Gurion Avenue) and 80 Hatzionut Avenue.
The Shrine of the Báb and inner gardens are open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Entrance is near the corner of Hatzionut Avenue and Shifra St. Parking may be limited here.
​
There is no charge for entrance or for the tours. You are asked to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and reaches your knees, with no tears. There are lots of steps on the tours, but there are railings to help. When climbing down there is a tendency to look at one’s feet rather than the view, but the tour stops at the different levels and you then have an opportunity to look around.
The Gardens from the Promenade at 61 Yefe Nof St.
Looking up at the Bahai Gardens from the German Colony
The Bahai Gardens at night
THE BAHAI FAITH
The Bahai faith is the most recent of the world’s religions, being formed in 1844. It may well be the world’s second-most widespread religion geographically, with almost five to eight million adherents living in almost every country.
​
The story starts with the Báb, a young merchant in Persia, who in 1844 proclaimed that he was a divinely inspired figure and the "Gate" (Báb) to a new era, and that he was preparing the way for "He whom God shall make manifest." He was publicly executed in 1850 by a firing squad primarily because his teachings challenged the religious and political authorities of Persia. His charisma and wide appeal, especially among youth and scholars, worried the ruling elite and he was seen as destabilizing and potentially revolutionary. His message also directly challenged the authority of the Shi’a Muslim clergy, who saw him as a heretic and a threat to their power and doctrine.
​
Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), born in Persia, is the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. He was a prominent follower of the Báb, and in 1863, while exiled in Baghdad, he publicly declared that he was the promised one foretold by the Báb. This event marks the beginning of the Bahá’í Faith. He is considered by Bahá’ís to be the most recent in a line of divine messengers that includes Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and the Báb. He was imprisoned and exiled repeatedly by Persian and Ottoman authorities over a period of 40 years. He authored many sacred texts. His final place of exile was in Acco, where he died and was buried in 1892.
The Bahá’í Faith has no clergy and its affairs are administered through a system of elected councils at the local, national and international levels. The Universal House of Justice in the Bahá’í Gardens functions as the religion’s governing body.
​
The Bahá’í Faith teaches that there is but one God, the source of all creation, who is unknowable in essence but reveals Himself through His messengers. All major world religions come from the same divine source and are part of a single, progressive process of revelation. Figures like Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and Bahá’u’lláh are seen as Manifestations of God.
The religion teaches that all humans are equal, and the elimination of all forms of prejudice—racial, religious, national, etc.—is essential for global peace. All individuals must seek truth independently, without blind imitation of traditions or clergy. True science and true religion must agree, since they are complementary means of understanding reality. Men and women are equal and should have equal opportunities and rights in all aspects of life. A peaceful and just world society should be established, that includes global governance and collective security. Economic systems should be guided by spiritual principles such as justice, generosity, and moderation.
The German Colony
The German Colony in downtown Haifa is a delightful place to visit with its mixture of restored 19th century homes, cafes, boutiques and guest houses. It is regarded as one of the best dining areas in Haifa, with a mix of local Middle Eastern cuisine, international food, bakeries and upscale restaurants.
The German Colony was established in 1868 by members of the Templer Society, a German Protestant sect from the Kingdom of Wurttemberg, now part of Germany. They were inspired by the belief in the imminent second coming of Jesus and they came to Palestine for a first-row seat. They espoused a life of Christian virtue combined with productive labor.
​
Their colony was laid out in a grid pattern with a main boulevard, which is today Ben Gurion Boulevard, leading up to the Baháʼí Gardens and extending to the port. There are also homes interspersed with other buildings in the streets adjacent to and parallel to Ben Gurion St.
​
The Templer homes can be recognized from their stonework facades, red-tiled roofs and a stonework partition between the stories of the house. In Jerusalem, the doorway often displays a verse from the Bible in German, and this is also apparent in a few of the homes here.
​
Of the hotels in the German Colony, only the Colony Hotel offers a supervised kosher breakfast. There are no kosher restaurants in the area.
​
The Haifa City Museum is at the port end of Ben Gurion at 11 Ben Gurion Avenue in Haifa's historic German Colony, and offers a rich exploration of the city's cultural and historical evolution. The museum's collection is composed of postcards, objects and photographs of the city of Haifa and its residents from the 19th and 20th centuries. Established in November 2000, the museum is housed in a 19th-century Templer building, providing a fitting backdrop to its exhibitions. The museum dedicates its exhibitions to themes such as history, urbanism, multinationalism, and multiculturalism, aiming to stimulate active social discourse. There is an admission charge. Reviews of the museum are pretty mediocre. This is a typical one: “As you can guess from the name of the museum, this is all about the city of Haifa. There really isn't very much to see unless you're an inhabitant of the city or really really interested in Haifa. There's some information in English, probably only a little less than Hebrew, but really there's an overall limited amount.”​​​​​​
Many of the Templar homes have been converted into restaurants on Ben Gurion Avenue
The German over the doorway is a give-away that this is a former Templer home. Note also the stone work and stone demarcation between the stories of the home.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE TEMPLERS
The Templers are often always given the credit they deserve for their contribution to the development of Palestine. They brought to the country European architecture, modern farming techniques, and skills in light industry. They built the first planned agricultural colony in the region with tree-lined streets, paved roads and organized sanitation with running water. They also introduced modern technologies such as wagons, iron plows, a mechanical oil press, and steam-powered flour mill. Their colony was a hub of progress that was admired by both Jewish and Arab communities and which was a model for successful entrepreneurship. In effect, they helped turn Haifa into a modern port town.
​
They established a network of colonies which were coordinated in education, agriculture and trade in then Ottoman and later British Mandate Palestine. Nevertheless, each colony had its own distinct development and fate. Sarona founded in Jaffa in 1869 focused on agriculture, vineyards, and European-style industry. It was later absorbed into Tel Aviv and is now a trendy commercial and cultural district. In a colony in Jerusalem established in 1873 they built homes, schools, and a community center. Wilhelmawas established near Lod in 1902, and Bethlehem of Galilee (Bethlehem HaGlilit) in the Lower Galilee in 1906. Their last settlement, also founded in the Lower Galilee, was Waldheim (now Alonei Abba) founded in 1907. By the early 20th century there were over 1,200 Templers in Palestine.
​
They maintained their German identity and By 1937 approximately 34% of the Templers in Palestine were members of the Nazi Party. On King George VI’s Coronation Day in 1937, all Templer colonies, including Haifa, flew the swastika flag During World War II. The British authorities declared them enemy nationals and many were interned and some were deported to Australia.The remaining Templers were expelled or left the country after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
​
A formal compensation agreement was signed between West Germany and Israel in 1962. Under this agreement, Germany paid approximately 54 million Deutsche Marks to the Templer Society and its members. Israel agreed not to oppose the compensation, which was paid by Germany — not Israel directly.
​
In the early 2000s, the German Colony underwent significant restoration and revitalization. Historic buildings were preserved and adapted for cafés, restaurants, boutique hotels, and cultural centers.
Links to the best family activities, hikes and historic sites in the GOLAN, EASTERN GALILEE, UPPER GALILEE, LOWER GALILEE, JORDAN VALLEY & LAKE KINNERET, the SHEFELAH, TEL AVIV-YAFFO and surroundings, NORTH of TEL AVIV, and SOUTH of TEL AVIV.