Bahá'í World Centre buildings

The Bahá'í World Centre is a religious complex on Mount Carmel comprising white marble structures and nineteen terraced gardens that climb the mountainside. The site brings together multiple buildings arranged to form a unified composition that extends from the base up the slope.

Construction began in 1909 with the Shrine of the Báb, marking the establishment of the administrative headquarters for the global faith. Over subsequent decades, the complex expanded to become the central hub of religious governance.

The structures blend design elements from East and West, with geometric patterns and symmetrical forms visible throughout the grounds. Visitors experience this cultural fusion directly as they move through the spaces and terraced gardens built on principles of unity.

The gardens are open daily except Wednesdays, with guided tours available in several languages. Advance booking is necessary to visit the indoor areas of the complex.

The complex houses specialized archives containing sacred texts, historical documents, and photographs that record the development of the Bahá'í faith. These collections preserve the story of the religion's origins and growth.