The wonderful climate, ancient history and special location attract thousands of tourists to Israel. Here, on the coast of three seas, there are beautiful resorts and famous health resorts, ancient architectural complexes and monuments. And of course, tens of thousands of believers from all over the world visit Israel every year. In the main city of the country - Jerusalem - there are shrines of three world religions at once: the Jewish Wall of Wail, the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Muslim mosque of Al-Aqsa. It is not surprising that it was on the Promised Land that the eighth wonder of the world appeared - the temple and gardens of the Bahá'Ăs, the youngest religion in the world.
Religion of the Baha'is
This religious trend arose recently, in the mid-nineteenth century. Its founder is Persian Saeed Ali Muhammad, who later took the name Bab ("Gate") and declared himself the sole forerunner of the Messiah. Despite the fact that his prediction did not come true, and the Báb himself was executed along with many of his associates, the Bahá'à religion continued to live and develop.
Today, there are over five million Bahá'Ăs around the world. On the part of the official world religions, the attitude towards the young doctrine is complex: from complete denial to persecution. However, this new belief is attracting more and more people around the world. The fact is that the postulates of Baha'iism intersect with modern humanistic ideas of tolerance, tolerance and equality, which are close to many people. The preachers of the new religion believe that the world is one, and God is one for all, and they believe that humanity, in the end, will unite and peace will come on earth.
Bahá'Ăs teach their children all major religions and give them the right, after sixteen years, to choose their own path to faith on their own. Almost all representatives of Baha'iism are distinguished by an excellent education, since they believe that a person should study all his life.
Baha'ism is called the new world religion precisely because it does not belong to one particular territory, but is spread throughout the world.
And Baha'is create magnificent garden and park complexes in different countries as symbols of harmony and beauty of the world. The most famous and grand Bahai Gardens are located in one of the largest cities in Israel - Haifa.
History of the complex
Haifa is a beautiful and cozy city, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on the side of Mount Carmel. In this wonderful bright city, of course, there is something to see and where to visit. But when the Bahai Gardens in Haifa appeared in the mid-twentieth century, they rightfully firmly took the place of the main city attraction. The construction of the Baha'i temple and its magnificent terraces with amazing gardens continued for ten years and was completed in 1957.
The architect of the grandiose complex Faribors Sahba created this architectural masterpiece as a hymn to harmony and beauty of the world. It is noteworthy that the construction of the Bahai shrine was carried out exclusively on the donations of people professing the youngest religion in the world. Money from other sources or individuals was categorically rejected. Even the financing proposed by the city, the Bahá'Ăs sent to repair houses located in the nearby area, but not to the complex itself. In 2001, the Bahai Gardens were restored to perfect condition, open to the public and have since been astounding and leave a deep mark in the soul of any person who was lucky enough to get into this special place. Faribors Sahba completely succeeded in his grandiose plan. It is symbolic that the gardens are built from materials brought from many different countries. In total, the Bahá'Ăs spent two hundred and fifty million dollars on the construction of the temple and garden.
Architectural solution
The Bahai Gardens in Haifa in Israel, thanks to the original architectural solution, resemble the waves of the sea, which naturally slide from the top of Mount Carmel into the Mediterranean Sea. The central place in the garden and park complex is occupied by the Baha'i temple with a golden dome, into which the uninitiated are prohibited. Here lie the remains of the founder of the religion of the Báb. Nineteen semicircular terraces with lush vegetation, located one above the other, and a magnificent staircase, which the Baha'is call the “path of the kings”, descend from the temple.
Supporters of the new religion are said to dream that when the leaders of all countries pass this ladder, peace will come on the whole earth. In general, all the stories associated with this place are very beautiful, like all the ideas of the Baha'is and their unusual gardens.
Rare plants
Of course, amazing plants adorning the Bahai Gardens deserve special attention. The terraces of the complex are not like one another, although they are generally built in the Persian style. Each is framed in its own way, where everything is subject to a certain idea. There are no random elements. Each vase, fountain, sculpture, tree or flower has a meaning and purpose.
More than four hundred species of plants can be found in the Bahai Gardens in Haifa, and all the tourist avenues of the city adorn their photos. There are many very ancient plants known since the time of King Solomon. You can meet the Jerusalem pine and evergreen olive, carob and the legendary sycamore, in the dense shade of which ancient travelers rested. It is impossible to list all the beautiful and legendary trees that grow and bloom on the garden terraces. These are myrtle, almonds, eucalyptus, araucaria, tamarisk and palm trees of various shapes. And of course, countless fragrant shrubs, flowers and herbs complement the perfect picture.
The combination of elegant and refined architecture, lush greenery, an abundance of water that flows from numerous fountains, and the proximity of a cloudless sky over Mount Carmel really create the impression of universal harmony and evoke the brightest feelings in the souls of guests.
Another feature of the park-garden complex is that the plants here are selected so that the flowering of the gardens does not stop all year round, even in winter.
Garden Maintenance
Only ninety professional gardeners who have a very high qualification and rich experience serve this grandiose park. Their work requires full dedication and incredible zeal. The photo of the Bahai Gardens shows how perfectly and well-groomed the plants on the terraces look. Gardeners work tirelessly year-round. For these people, their work is very honorable and is a kind of daily prayer to the Bahá'à shrine.
From time to time, Bahá'à volunteers from all over the world come to the aid of the park. It is a great honor for them.
Features of visiting the gardens
Getting into the Bahai temple and garden complex is not easy. And the entrance to the central temple is permitted only to Baha'i believers. Morning hours in the Bahai Gardens in Haifa is a traditional time for visiting tourists. You can come here only as part of an excursion group with a mandatory Baha'i guide. He will talk about the meaning, meaning and history of the Bahai Gardens. Tours are conducted in three languages: Hebrew, English and Russian. Before the tour it is necessary to clarify in which language it will be conducted in the group.
On the territory of the gardens it is forbidden to use telephones, take food, only water. The appearance, clothing and behavior of tourists visiting the garden are also subject to stringent requirements.
Gardens are often closed to visitors, so it is better to prepare for the tour in advance.
The eighth wonder of the world
In 2008, Bahai Gardens in Israel were officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. But back in 2001, when it was opened to visitors, the garden and park complex was declared the eighth wonder of the world. Bahai Gardens fully deserve this status. This is greatness, beauty and harmony in its purest form. Everyone who has visited this extraordinary place, notes a special aura surrounding him.
Bahai Gardens at night
The complex is fascinating and amazing all year round, regardless of the time of day. And yet, judging by the reviews, a special, mystical sight is the Bahai Gardens at night.
Beautifully illuminated terraces, ponds, steps create a fascinating impression. Bright garlands, golden lights, flickering light make the complex look like a huge gem. And the staircase "The Way of the Kings" is lit in such a way that closer to the top of the mountain the artificial light is dimmed, and it seems that the staircase goes up, directly into the sky.
Baha'i evergreen garden - a symbol of harmony
Thousands of tourists and believers visit the Bayhai Gardens every year. Everyone who has visited this wonderful place leaves him in his memories forever. Maybe someday the bright dreams of the followers of the youngest Bahá'à religion will come true. People will understand that God is one for all. The rulers of all countries will rise along the “path of kings,” and world peace will come.