Shrine of the Báb, Religious shrine on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
The domed edifice rises on an octagonal foundation with eighteen windows and detailed tilework above the Mediterranean coastline. Materials include Italian limestone and Persian tiles in various colors. The interior houses a simple burial chamber surrounded by prayer rooms with ornate carpets and calligraphy. Nine concentric circles form the architectural principle underlying the design.
After Baháʼu'lláh designated the location in 1891, construction commenced in 1904 under the supervision of Abdu'l-Bahá. Architect William Sutherland Maxwell designed the structure in neoclassical style and completed it in 1953. The remains of the Báb were transferred here from Persia in 1909. Between 1990 and 2001, the surrounding gardens were developed under the direction of Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba.
This structure represents the foremost pilgrimage site for members of the Baháʼí Faith and contains the remains of the Báb, regarded as the herald of their religion. Thousands of believers travel here annually to pray and experience the spiritual importance of this location. The complex serves as a central symbol of their religious community.
The grounds are open to visitors from 09:00 to 12:00 Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Mondays. Tours in several languages can be reserved in advance through the official website. Visitors must wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Access to the gardens is free of charge, with parking available near the entrance. The nearest bus stop is located 1,300 feet (400 meters) away on Ben Gurion Avenue.
Nineteen separate garden terraces extend downward from the building along Mount Carmel, forming geometric patterns visible throughout the cityscape. Each terrace represents one of the first nineteen followers of the Báb. The number nineteen holds particular symbolic meaning within the religion. More than 150 gardeners maintain the grounds daily with plants from five continents.
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