The Stella Maris Church in Haifa
The Church of Stella Maris Monastery on the western Carmel Mountain is one of the more important Christian sites in Israel and tourist sites in Haifa. The monastery serves as the spiritual center of the Carmelite Order. This order is dedicated to the prophets Elijah and Elisha, and also to the Virgin Mary, whom they honor as the “Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” and who embodied the virtues of humility and obedience. Why is the monastery called Stella Maris or Star of the Sea? For centuries sailors approaching Haifa could see the monastery high on the mountain and it was regarded as a landmark and a symbol of divine protection.
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The Carmelite Order is one of the oldest religious orders of the Catholic Church. It traces its roots to a group of Christian hermits who settled on Mount Carmel in the late twelfth century during the Crusader period. Living in caves near a spring traditionally associated with the Prophet Elijah, they sought a life of prayer, simplicity, and contemplation. They regarded Elijah as their spiritual father because of his zeal for God, his life of solitude, and his experience of encountering God not in dramatic displays of power but in a "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).
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Most were forced to leave the country after the collapse of the Crusader Kingdom, and their buildings on Mount Carmel were repeatedly destroyed during centuries of warfare. The order returned to the Carmel in the 17th century and established a new monastery. During Napoleon's campaign in 1799 the monastery was used as a hospital for French soldiers. In 1821 the Ottoman governor Abdullah Pasha ordered destruction of the complex. The present church and monastery were rebuilt shortly afterward and completed in 1836.
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The Carmelites place special emphasis on the interior spiritual life. Their goal is to develop a deep and intimate relationship with God through prayer and contemplation. Although contemplation remains central, Carmelites also engage in many practical activities. Today, the Carmelite family includes friars, nuns, sisters, and lay members spread across the world. Some live in enclosed monasteries devoted almost entirely to prayer, while others serve in schools, parishes, universities, and retreat centers.
​Directions and parking: Enter “Stella Maris monastery” into Waze. There is a free parking lot by the entrance to the church.
Admission: There is no admission charge. The church is open every day of the week from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Visitors are requested to dress modestly. There is a charge to use the restrooms. There is a coffee shop before the entrance to the terrace that has inside and shaded outside seating. Their phone number is 04 833 7758.
Public transport: Enter “Stella Maris Monastery” into Moovit.
Visiting the church
The church at Stella Maris Monastery is relatively modest in size compared with the great basilicas of Europe. but it is one of the most beautiful churches in Israel and is regarded as one of its most spiritually evocative.
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The façade is simple and dignified rather than ornate. A bell tower rises above the entrance. The church is circular, rather than the long rectangular layout common in many churches. Its design naturally draws attention toward the center of the sanctuary and the cave beneath the altar. The walls are lined with polished marble and decorative columns. Light enters through high windows beneath the dome, illuminating the interior with a soft glow.
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The dome is perhaps the church's most striking artistic feature. It is richly painted with scenes central to Carmelite spirituality and biblical history. Among the figures depicted are the prophet Elijah, regarded as the spiritual father of the Carmelite Order, Elisha, Elijah's disciple and successor, Biblical kings and prophets associated with Mount Carmel, and Carmelite saints from different centuries. One of the most memorable images portrays Elijah ascending to heaven in a fiery chariot, recalling the account in 2 Kings 2.
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The church's most important feature lies directly beneath the main altar, namely a natural cave traditionally identified as the Cave of Elijah. There is no archaeological evidence that Elijah occupied this particular cave, but the tradition is very ancient and has attracted pilgrims for centuries. A short flight of steps leads down into the grotto. At its center stands an altar. The cave symbolizes the Carmelite conviction that their spiritual heritage began with Elijah's solitary devotion to God on Mount Carmel. Above the grotto stands the principal altar, crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary.
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An older strand of Carmelite tradition does establish this cave more strongly with the prophet Elisha. This makes considerable sense for the Carmelites, since they are not claiming to be only disciple of Elijah, but rather disciples carrying forward the prophetic spirit, much as Elisha carried forward the mission of his master. Moreover, the cave most commonly venerated by Jews as Elijah's cave is the much larger and better-known Elijah's Cave near the foot of Mount Carmel, and not the grotto beneath Stella Maris.
Standing before the monastery on the terrace, you will see the Bay of Haifa, the Mediterranean Sea, the Port of Haifa and on a clear day the Galilee.
The grotto within the church
The dome of the church
A visit to the Stella Maris monastery can be conveniently combined with two other activities:
One is to take the Haifa Cable Car. This is an overhead aerial lift connecting the Bat Galim seafront promenade to the Stella Maris Monastery. It is famous for its signature bubble-shaped, orange cable cars, and offers panoramic views of the city and Mediterranean Sea. Hours in the summer are 9 AM to 8.00 PM and in the winter 10 AM to 6.00 PM. A one-way ticket is 19 NIS and round-trip 28 NIS. The trip takes about 3 minutes.
It is also possible to cross the road and hike downhill from the monastery of Stella Maris to the Cave of Elijah off Allenby Road close to the coast — or vice versa. This is a hiking type of footpath, with some rocks on the path, but it is not difficult or dangerous. It passes the lighthouse. It provides great views of the beach area, and also the site of Tel Shikmona (see the section on the history of Haifa on the German Colony page). The trail is about 1 km and should take about 30 minutes.
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The Muhraqa Monastery
There is also another Carmelite site on Mount Carmel, the Muhraqa Monastery, which is located on the highest peak of Mount Carmel, southeast of Haifa. This monastery is run by the Discalced Carmelites and was built in the 19th century over a long-standing traditional sacred site associated with the biblical story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Discalced Carmelites ("barefoot Carmelites") are Carmelites who emphasize poverty, silence, and intense prayer. They are the result of a 16th century reform of the Carmelite movement that sought to restore the simplicity and contemplative focus of the original Carmelites.
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The name “Muhraqa” means “burning” in Arabic, and refers to the fire that came down from heaven when Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Hence, this site emphasizes Elijah’s zeal and prophetic power, while Stella Maris emphasizes Elijah’s cave and contemplative life. It needs to be appreciated that Mount Carmel for the Carmelites is not one holy place, but a network of sacred memory that includes caves, summit sites, monasteries, and pilgrimage routes between them.
Chapel on the path to Elijah's Cave
Touring Haifa
The Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum
Haifa Cable Car from Beit Galim Promenade
Gan Ha’em and Haifa Zoo (family park - not reviewed)