The Prison City of Akko

 

 

This is the location where the prisoners entered the Prison City of Akko. Baha'u'llah named it the "Most Great Prison". They were taken to Haifa by steam ship and then by small boats to Akko. After an 8 hour trip in these boats they were ordered into the water. The prisoners included a number of women. Abdul' Baha refused and insisted they bring chairs so that the women could be carried to the shore by the men. His demand was carried out. They entered the city by the sea gate which is no longer exists. It was located at the end of the point. The Abu Cristo restaurant is located there today.   

 

 

 The Land Gate

 

 

The Citadel where the Holy Family was held prisoner for 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days. They occupied the upper floor.

 

 

The moat completely surrounded the citadel during the time of Baha'u'llah.

 

 

Here you can see the barracks where Abdul' Baha and other prisoners where held. The sculpture is of the Jewish Heroes who where held here during Israel's struggle to become an independent state. This site is owned by the state of Israel and they maintain the Baha'i Holy sites at this location.

 

 

The door to Baha'u'llah's cell.

 

 

The lower arches are part of the crusader fort. This was filled with rubble until recently.

 

 

This is roughly the view the friends would have when trying to visit Baha'u'llah. Spies were stationed at the land gate and stop the Baha'is from entering the city. Baha'u'llah would hold a white handkerchief out the window so the friends could see him.

 

 

This is near where the friends would stand trying to see Baha'u'llah.

 

 

This will mark the end of my Pilgrimage Report. This is the stairwell at the House of 'Abbud where Baha'u'llah lived after being allowed to leave the citadel. He lived here for about 7 years. I was a bad boy and didn't always have my camera with me so key parts are missing. I didn't take photos and the House of Abdula Pasha or The Mansion at Mazra'ih. Enjoy.

 

Bahji

 

 

The Shrine of Baha'u'llah

 

 

Caroline's favorite tree

 

 

We returned to Bahji several times and visited the Shrine of Baha'u'llah. We even got to spend time alone in the shrine. That was really special. 

 

 

The Old Pilgrim House was open one day while we were there. It seemed like we were always busy with the formal part of the pilgrimage but there was actually a lot of free time to revisit Bahji and places like the Junayn Garden and the Old Pilgrim House which were not a formal part of Pilgrimage.



Junayn Garden

 

Junayn Garden has been being developed for the last three years and was part of a farm that was visited by Baha'u'llah. It is on several acres and the farm house has been restored. It is located Halotus St. in a nice neighborhood in Nahariyya. We took a taxi to Halotus St. in Akko. We had to call another taxi a got lost again as the garden is so new the drivers don't know where it is. Luckily we were with Michel and Sophie and Sophie was able to call and someone came looking for us.

 



 

Yes, that is a garden bench. Very rare in Baha'i gardens. Junayn has a beautiful sitting area. You can see from the photos, the trees are still fairly small.

 

 

 

 

Gardens and Groves

 

 

 I was fascinated by the olive grove at Bahji. I love the way they took the orchard and turned it into a formal garden. Olive trees were everywhere. People would have 2 or 3 trees in their yards and have tarps on the ground to catch the olives to press for oil.

 

 

I believe this is carob, but I could be wrong.

This isn't Mexico!!!!

 



 

 Weeping Willow at Ridvan Garden.

 

 

Pomelo and other citrus were being grown at the Ridvan Garden. Fruit was harvested and offered to the pilgrims

 

 

Malinche

 

 

Pomegranates were in season. You could get pomegranate juice at the farmer's market. It reminded me of the Gallagher Show. They would put the entire fruit in a smasher, pull down on the handle and make juice instantly. It was sort of like a giant tortilla smasher with a long handle on it. I couldn't find a decent looking pomegranate grove. I think this one had already been picked over. 

People Along The Way

 



 

Snow in Zurich.

 

 Tony, Kitty, Sophie, and Michel. Sophie and Michel were life savers. They left a big bag of groceries in the refrigerator for us. Chef Michel cooked us a wonderful meal. Let's just say that neither Kitty or I lost weight.

 

 

Mona from Australia.

 

 

Amy from Switzerland.

 

 

 Pamela from Costa Rica.

 

 

Familia de Juan Francisco Mora. We had a wonderful dinner with them.

 

 

 Juan Francisco Mora, counselor from Costa Rica.

 

 

 La Despidida.

 

 We found a part of our family we had not met before, Michel and Sophie.

 

 Our pilgrim group at the Ridvan Garden. Friends from India, Germany, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, Alaska,  and Kyrgyzstan.

 

 

This is the Abu Cristo Restaurant in the old city of Akko. Gary is on the left and Cici is on the right. Cici was the caretaker for Gary's mother and Cici is the daughter of Juliet who is caretaker for Babs. The Abu Cristo is on the site of the Sea Gate into Akko. The Sea Gate no longer exists and is how Baha'u'llah entered the prison city. It was quite an adventure as Gary took us through the old city at night. I would not have missed it for the world. Gary knew his way around and we felt safe. 

 

 

Baha'i Gardens on Mount Carmel

 

This was my first pilgrimage, and Kitty's second, to the Baha'i Holy Places in Israel. It was very a very emotional for me.  On the first day I prayed at the shrines for our dear friends and relatives who have passed away. That night I had a dream that informed me that they were all O.K. and that I should pray for those that mourn them and that they feel the same absolute love of God that our deceased friends and relatives feel. The beautiful gardens and buildings made prayer easy. It was great to see the places where the Holy Family was imprisoned and the different places where they lived. Pilgrimage was a profound experience for me.

 

 

Looking down on The German Colony where Templar's established a community to wait for the Second Coming. "Der Herr es neigh" is written over the door of a home that is near where Baha'u'llah pitched his tent and instructed 'Abdul-Baha' on the layout of the World Center.  We met many Christians who live in Haifa who are waiting for the Second Coming which they believe will take place on Mt. Carmel. Stella Maris, the Carmelite Monastery (about 800 yrs. old) is on Mt. Carmel for the same reason.

 

 

From left to right, The Center for the study of the Texts, The Archives Building, The Shrine of the Bab.

 

 

 

 The Hanging Gardens behind the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

 

 

Several of the buildings where designed with a concept called a light well that brings natural sunlight to almost all parts of the building, so you find beautiful gardens inside the buildings.

 

 

Another indoor garden.

 

 

 A view from the German Colony at the traffic circle on Ben Gurion St.

 

 

The Seat of The Universal House of Justice, the governing body of the Baha'i Faith.

 

 

 

The International Teaching Center.