Haifa Attractions
Haifa is the 3rd biggest city in Israel. If you are planning a tour in Israel, My recommendation is to include the sites, which the city of Haifa is offering (at least few of them).
1. Stella Maris- Stella Maris is a site which contain 3 interesting spots:
1.1 Stella Maris Observation- From that spot you can observe the Northern side of Haifa's Harbor. Nearby there is a cable car which leads you down the mountain, to Elijah's cave, and the Marine Museum.
1.2 Stella Maris Church - The Stella Maris Church is a beautiful structure, its interior walls covered with white marble panels so bright and well placed, that visitors sometimes think the walls have been painted.
The dome, decorated by the Maltese Carmelite Luigi Poggi (1924-1928), depicts episodes from the Bible, the most distinct being the scene of Prophet Elijah ascending to Heaven in a chariot of fire.
Underneath the altar, one can find Elijah’s cave where according to the Old Testament, the Prophet lived for some time. Inside the cave, there is an altar carved in the rock, with a small statue of the Prophet. Don't Miss it- It's a beautiful and Unique Church.
Link to the Stella Maris website is: http://www.visit-haifa.org/eng/Stella_Maris_Church
1.3. The Monument that was built by the French forces, to honor the Christians' victims which has been Massacred by the Muslim forces inside the church in the end of the 18th century.
2. Cave of Elijah- The Cave of Elijah refers to 1 Kings 19:8-9 in the bible, where it's written: ""So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night".
The Jews and the Christians (besides the Catholics) believe that this is the cave where Elijah hided from Ahab.
A Jewish pilgrim who visited cave during the period between 1270 and 1291 briefly mentions: “There is a cave, on the slopes of Mt. Carmel, and there the synagogue dedicated to Elijah, be he remembered for good. Above the cave, on the top of the mountain there is Elisha’s Cave". So it means that in the 13th Century, the Jews and some of the Christians believed that the cave in Stella Maris's Church, refers to Elisha.
Link to the Cave of Elijah website is: https://www.kkl-jnf.org/tourism-and-recreation/tours/elijah-mount-carmel-prophet.aspx
3. The Immigration and Naval Museum- The Immigration and Naval Museum, presents the story of immigration and the struggle for immigration to Israel from 1948-1934, which was one of the milestones for the establishment of the state, through audiovisual visions, photographs, historical documents, excerpts Various press and findings.
The visit to the museum begins with the story of the illegal immigration - the struggle for our right to immigrate to Israel from 1934-1948. The illegal immigration ship "nevertheless" serves as a central exhibit in the illegal immigration chapter and through it the entire illegal immigration story is told.
A special wing is dedicated to the history of the Navy whose roots are planted in the illegal immigration plant. In Division are impressed by photographs, documents, diagrams battle, ship models, and original exhibits. Courtyard of the museum are also a rocket ship and a submarine that can be visited.
Link to the museum website is: https://www.mod.gov.il/Memorial_Legacy/museums/Pages/haapala.aspx (It's in Hebrew, but you can translate it to English).
4. The Bahá’í Gardens- The Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa was chosen by The World Tourism Organization, as one of the most beautiful Urban gardens in the world.
This is the center of the Bahá’í in the world, and include comprise a staircase of nineteen terraces extending all the way up the northern slope of Mount Carmel. The geometry of the complex is built around the axis connecting it with the City of ‘Akko, which also has great historical and sacred significance for Bahá’ís. At its heart stands the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, which is the resting place of the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith.
While different parts of the gardens offer a variety of experiences, they speak in a common language of graveled paths, hedges and flower beds groomed and nurtured by dedicated 100 gardeners - every Day! The gardens frame panoramic views of the city, the Galilee Hills and the Mediterranean Sea.
Link to the Bahá’í Gardens website is: https://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/haifa/
5. German Colony- Haifa's German Colony, was Established in 1870 by the Templars. the Templars were Christian Germans who established several colonies in the country in the 19th Century. The first Wave of migration came to here in 1868, after they believed that the Messiah is about to com. Therefore, they decided to welcome him in the Promised Land. Because they believed that the Messiah is about to come, they even didn't built Churches, due to their believing that the 3rd Temple is going to be rebuilt few years from now.
Today, most of the buildings in Haifa's German Colony, were renovated, and you'll find the main street of that beautiful place, full with Restaurants, Bars, Boutique Hotels and lovely view of the Carmel Mountain.
6 Wadi Nisnas- Wadi Nisnas is a name of a neighborhood in Haifa. Until 1948, This neighborhood was mainly populated with Christian Arabs. after the Independence war in 1948, the Arabs in the neighborhood, were the first one to show that Coexistence between Jews and Arabs can exist, in the new state that was founded only few weeks earlier. They not only welcomed the Jews Refugees, which came from Arab countries, they even taught them agriculture, and let them work in their fields.
Since then, this neighborhood is a symbol of Coexistence between Jews and Arabs. In the streets of the neighborhood, you will find statues and paintings on the walls which were made by Jews and Arabs. They call it "The Open Museum on the walls".
On December, there is a marvelous Festival on the four weekends which they are celebrate Hanukah (Jewish Holiday), Christmas, and Id -El-Adcha (Muslim Holiday). It's a sensual mix of street bands, Food stands and Street shows.