With over half a million visitors a year, the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa and Acre are among the most popular sites in Israel. Their unique design, combining geometrical shapes and exquisite detailing wit with loving conservation of natural and historic landscape features, leaves an indelible impression on visitors.
In July 2008, the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa and Acre were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, in recognition of their "outstanding universal value" as holy places and places of pilgrimage for the followers of the Bahá'í Faith.

with loving conservation of natural and historic landscape features, leaves an indelible impression on visitors.
In July 2008, the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa and Acre were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, in recognition of their "outstanding universal value" as holy places and places of pilgrimage for the followers of the Bahá'í Faith.

Sites and sights in Israel. Celebrating the launch of my new web site (www.YairKarelic.com) and Israel’s 60 years of independence.

A short visit to Ein Karem and Abu Ghosh. Ein Karem is a neighborhood in southwest Jerusalem, and according to Christian tradition, it's considered to be the town where John the Baptist was born. Abu Ghosh is an Arab town west to Jerusalem.

Ghosh is an Arab town west to Jerusalem.

The Sea of Galilee is where Jesus conducted much of his ministry. On the shores of the lake, Jesus called four of his early disciples. Many of his miracles were performed on or around the Sea of Galilee.

Galilee.

Nazareth is described in the New Testament as the childhood home of Jesus, and as such is a center of Christian pilgrimage, with many shrines commemorating biblical associations.

Tzippori (Sepphoris), is located in the central Galilee region, 6 km NNW of Nazareth, Israel. It is the site of a rich and diverse historical and architectural legacy that includes Assyrian, Hellenistic, Judean, Babylonian, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, Arabic and Ottoman influences.

Zippori was established during the First Temple period. The city, with its mainly Jewish inhabitants, developed during the Hasmonaen and Herodian periods (1st century BCE).
Zippori was spared from destruction in 70 CE, as its citizens refrained from joining the revolt. Following the destruction of the Second Temple, Zippori soon became a Jewish center of learning, with many rabbis, sages and priests dwelling here. During the presidency of Rabbi Judah Hanasi, the Sanhedrin moved to Zippori, where the Mishna was compiled in approximately 200 CE.
During the Roman period, Zippori became one of the most important cities in the country, and served as capital of the Galilee. This was due, mainly to its topography, the availablility of spring water, the fertile soil in the vicinity and its proximity to important trade routes. Zippori was then called Diocaesarea).
The city, with its varied communities, continued to flourish during the Byzantine period and the beginning of the Arab period.
During the crusader period, it was called La-Safouri, when a castle and the curch of St. Anne were build. Later, a large Arab village called Saffuriye was build on the ruins of the ancient city. The village was conquered during the War of Independence. In 1949 Moshav Zippori was founded, bearing the original name of the city.

Hellenistic, Judean, Babylonian, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, Arabic and Ottoman influences.

Zippori was established during the First Temple period. The city, with its mainly Jewish inhabitants, developed during the Hasmonaen and Herodian periods (1st century BCE).
Zippori was spared from destruction in 70 CE, as its citizens refrained from joining the revolt. Following the destruction of the Second Temple, Zippori soon became a Jewish center of learning, with many rabbis, sages and priests dwelling here. During the presidency of Rabbi Judah Hanasi, the Sanhedrin moved to Zippori, where the Mishna was compiled in approximately 200 CE.
During the Roman period, Zippori became one of the most important cities in the country, and served as capital of the Galilee. This was due, mainly to its topography, the availablility of spring water, the fertile soil in the vicinity and its proximity to important trade routes. Zippori was then called Diocaesarea).
The city, with its varied communities, continued to flourish during the Byzantine period and the beginning of the Arab period.
During the crusader period, it was called La-Safouri, when a castle and the curch of St. Anne were build. Later, a large Arab village called Saffuriye was build on the ruins of the ancient city. The village was conquered during the War of Independence. In 1949 Moshav Zippori was founded, bearing the original name of the city.

Mount Herzl is a hilltop and national cemetery in Jerusalem, named for Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism. Herzl's tomb lies at the top of the hill. This year Israel celebrates Memorial Day on May 7 and Independence Day on May 8.

Note: Those of you who will look closely on the pictures in this album will probably wonder why there are small stones on the graves. The answer is that it’s a Jewish tradition to place a small stone at the graveside when visiting Jewish graves of someone that the visitor may even never knew. This shows that someone visited the graveside, and represents permanence. Leaving flowers is not a traditional Jewish practice. Another reason for leaving stones is tending the grave. In Biblical times, gravestones were not used; graves were marked with mounds of stones, so by placing (or replacing) them, one perpetuated the existence of the site.

Memorial Day on May 7 and Independence Day on May 8.

Note: Those of you who will look closely on the pictures in this album will probably wonder why there are small stones on the graves. The answer is that it’s a Jewish tradition to place a small stone at the graveside when visiting Jewish graves of someone that the visitor may even never knew. This shows that someone visited the graveside, and represents permanence. Leaving flowers is not a traditional Jewish practice. Another reason for leaving stones is tending the grave. In Biblical times, gravestones were not used; graves were marked with mounds of stones, so by placing (or replacing) them, one perpetuated the existence of the site.

The Old City of Jerusalem is a 0.9 sq. km (0.35 sq. mile) area within the city of Jerusalem. It is divided into four quarters (Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian Quarters). In 1981 it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You're invited to visit my other album: Jerusalem - the Old City (Christian and Armenian Quarters) - http://public.fotki.com/ykarelic4/israel/jerusalem--christia/

designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You're invited to visit my other album: Jerusalem - the Old City (Christian and Armenian Quarters) - http://public.fotki.com/ykarelic4/israel/jerusalem--christia/

For Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem one of the most meaningful things to do is walk the Via Dolorosa, the route that Jesus took between his condemnation by Pilate and his crucifixion and burial.

A visit to Bet She'an National Park. The city played an important role historically due to its geographical location at the junction of the Jordan River Valley & Jezreel Valley. An earthquake in 749 destroyed it.

destroyed it.

A view of Tel-Aviv and Gush Dan from the heliport of the Azrieli Center's Circular Tower which is the tallest building in Tel-Aviv (187 meters, 49 floors) and second tallest in Israel.

Haifa is the third-largest city in Israel. Haifa has a mixed population of Jews and Arabs. Haifa, built on the slopes of Mt. Carmel, has a history dating back to Biblical times. Today, it’s a major s seaport located on Israel's Mediterranean coastline in the Bay of Haifa.

seaport located on Israel's Mediterranean coastline in the Bay of Haifa.

The Ramat Hanadiv Memorial Gardens are located in the Carmel hills between Zikhron Ya'acov and Binyamina in the Northern part of Israel. The gardens and nature reserve are a real jewel sprawled over roughly 1,100 acres - 17.5 of which are the memorial gardens.

roughly 1,100 acres - 17.5 of which are the memorial gardens.

The Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth (Israel) was established in the place where, according to Christian tradition, the Annunciation took place. It is the location where Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a virgin, was visited by the Archangel Gabriel and told that she had been selected to be the mother of Jesus.

Jesus, as a virgin, was visited by the Archangel Gabriel and told that she had been selected to be the mother of Jesus.

Some pictures I took while travelling with Orly, Ran, Roza and Alan on a very hot day.
It was a good opportunity to make some photography experiments.

All these rocks are located in the Rock Garden of Yehoshua Gardens (Tel-Aviv, Israel)

A musical and magical exhibition at the Tower of David (the Citadel) in the old city of Jerusalem.

Haifa's most striking landmark is the splendid Baha'i Shrine and Gardens, on the edge of the city center.

The immaculate, majestic Baha'i gardens, with their stone peacocks and eagles, and delicately manicured cypress trees, are a restful, aesthetic memorial to the founders of the Baha'i faith.

In addition to tourists, pilgrims come to Haifa from all parts of the world to pay homage to the first leaders of this universal faith.

Haifa is the international headquarters for the gentle Baha'i Faith, which began amidst persecution in Persia in the mid-19th century.

Baha'is believe in the unity of all religions and believe that messengers of God like Moses, Jesus and Muhammad have been sent at different times in history with doctrines varying to fit changing social needs, but bringing substantially the same message.

The most recent of these heavenly teachers, according to Baha'is, was Baha' Allah (1817-92). He was exiled by the Turkish authorities to Acre (Akko), wrote his doctrines there, and died a peaceful death in Bahji House just north of Acre.

During one of His visits to Haifa in 1890, Baha'u'llah pointed out to his son the spot on Mount Carmel where the remains of the Bab, herald of the Baha'i faith, should be laid to rest in a befitting tomb.

The Bab's remains were hidden for years after he died a martyr's death in front of a firing squad. Eventually, his followers secretly carried his remains to the Holy Land.

In the Haifa gardens, the huge domed Shrine of the Bab entombs Baha' Allah's herald. The tomb is a spectacular sight, with ornamental gold work and flowers in almost every nook and cranny.

A visual symbol of the Baha'i emphasis on worldwide religious unity, the shrine is a blend of western and eastern styles. The granite columns recall classic Roman architecture, the Corinthian capitals are reminiscent of ancient Greece, and the arches add the flavor of the Orient.

On a higher hilltop stands the Corinthian-style Baha'i International Archives building, modeled after the Parthenon, and the Baha'i Universal House of Justice, with 58 marble columns and hanging gardens behind. These administrative buildings are not open to tourists. All the Baha'i buildings face toward Acre, the burial place of Baha' Allah.

The beautiful gardens were originally planned by Shoghi Effendi, the late Guardian of the Faith. The Baha'i gardens have recently undergone a massive redesign aimed at putting them on the world's horticultural map. They are now a geometric cascade of hanging gardens and terraces down to Ben Gurion Boulevard-a gift of visual pleasure to the city that gave the Baha'i religion its home and headquarters.

delicately manicured cypress trees, are a restful, aesthetic memorial to the founders of the Baha'i faith.

In addition to tourists, pilgrims come to Haifa from all parts of the world to pay homage to the first leaders of this universal faith.

Haifa is the international headquarters for the gentle Baha'i Faith, which began amidst persecution in Persia in the mid-19th century.

Baha'is believe in the unity of all religions and believe that messengers of God like Moses, Jesus and Muhammad have been sent at different times in history with doctrines varying to fit changing social needs, but bringing substantially the same message.

The most recent of these heavenly teachers, according to Baha'is, was Baha' Allah (1817-92). He was exiled by the Turkish authorities to Acre (Akko), wrote his doctrines there, and died a peaceful death in Bahji House just north of Acre.

During one of His visits to Haifa in 1890, Baha'u'llah pointed out to his son the spot on Mount Carmel where the remains of the Bab, herald of the Baha'i faith, should be laid to rest in a befitting tomb.

The Bab's remains were hidden for years after he died a martyr's death in front of a firing squad. Eventually, his followers secretly carried his remains to the Holy Land.

In the Haifa gardens, the huge domed Shrine of the Bab entombs Baha' Allah's herald. The tomb is a spectacular sight, with ornamental gold work and flowers in almost every nook and cranny.

A visual symbol of the Baha'i emphasis on worldwide religious unity, the shrine is a blend of western and eastern styles. The granite columns recall classic Roman architecture, the Corinthian capitals are reminiscent of ancient Greece, and the arches add the flavor of the Orient.

On a higher hilltop stands the Corinthian-style Baha'i International Archives building, modeled after the Parthenon, and the Baha'i Universal House of Justice, with 58 marble columns and hanging gardens behind. These administrative buildings are not open to tourists. All the Baha'i buildings face toward Acre, the burial place of Baha' Allah.

The beautiful gardens were originally planned by Shoghi Effendi, the late Guardian of the Faith. The Baha'i gardens have recently undergone a massive redesign aimed at putting them on the world's horticultural map. They are now a geometric cascade of hanging gardens and terraces down to Ben Gurion Boulevard-a gift of visual pleasure to the city that gave the Baha'i religion its home and headquarters.

Kikar Levana is an environmental sculpture that sits atop a small hill, at the Edith Wolfson Park, in Tel Aviv. The sculpture’s name means White Square. It is located at the highest point in Tel A Aviv (Israel). Created by Dani Karavan.

Aviv (Israel). Created by Dani Karavan.

"Story Gardens" is a special and unique project of environmental sculptures, promoted and constructed by the Municipality of Holon.
Well known Israeli artists erected 16 groups of environmental sculptures, inspired by well known Israeli children stories. This album contains 8 of them.

sculptures, inspired by well known Israeli children stories. This album contains 8 of them.

"Story Gardens" is a special and unique project of environmental sculptures, promoted and constructed by the Municipality of Holon.
Well known Israeli artists erected 16 groups of environmental sculptures, inspired by well known Israeli children stories. This album contains 7 of them.

Unfortunately, I could not find the English translation of most stories...

sculptures, inspired by well known Israeli children stories. This album contains 7 of them.

Unfortunately, I could not find the English translation of most stories...