Bahá'í World Centre, Haifa

The Bahá'í World Centre, located in the picturesque northern Israeli cities of ‘Akká and Haifa, serves as both the spiritual heart and administrative hub of the Bahá'í Faith. It holds immense historical and religious importance for Bahá'ís worldwide, stemming from the exile and imprisonment of Bahá’u’lláh in the fortress of Acre in 1868 by Ottoman authorities. At the Centre reside the sacred Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, along with other revered sites nearby.

A significant aspect of the Bahá'í World Centre is the array of facilities and buildings surrounding the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel's northern slope. These include the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the highest governing body of the Bahá'í Faith, the International Teaching Centre Building, the Centre for the Study of the Texts, and the International Bahá’í Archives. These structures are set amidst well-kept gardens, providing a serene setting for contemplation and administration.

The Bahá'í World Centre plays a crucial role in coordinating the global activities of the Bahá'í community, including implementing teaching plans and translating sacred texts. The Universal House of Justice, headquartered in Haifa, oversees these endeavors, solidifying the Centre's significance as a central point for guidance and decision-making within the Bahá'í community worldwide.

Furthermore, the Bahá'í World Centre is a major pilgrimage site, drawing around one million visitors annually. Its status as a significant destination for religious tourism is evident. Recognizing its cultural and spiritual importance, certain areas within the Bahá'í World Centre, notably the terraces and the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel, were inscribed on the World Heritage List in July 2008.