Acre (Akko) - Overview

The old city of Acre (Akko) is a large walled city on the shores of the bay of Haifa. As the largest natural port in the Galilee and Israel, it  has a long history of conquests and ruling empires. It was one of the main  Crusaders'  fortifications and ports.

Tell Akko

The city of Akko (Acre) original site in the Biblical times was several KM east of the old city of Acre. The site, the Tell (mound) of Akko, was one of the important port cities in the ancient world, situated on the northern gate to Israel.

Judges 1: 31: "Asher drove not out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob;"

Khan al-Umdan

This Khan (hostel) is one of the most beautiful sites in the old city of Acre. It was used as a hostel and storage for the sea merchants. Built in 1784-5 by Jezzer Pasha over parts of the inner Crusaders port.

Acre's port

Acre was an important port city in ancient times. The modern marina is located where the ancient port used to be - on the southern side of the old city.

Aqueduct of Acre (Akko)

The Aqueduct brought running water to the old city of Acre, along a raised aqueduct. The source of the water was the springs of Cabri, 12KM away.

Templars Tunnel, Acre

The 12th C tunnel was built by the Templars to connect their fortress on the south-west side of Acre to the harbor on the south-east side.

Knights Halls

The 12th-13th C Crusaders main fortress and headquarters, halls and structures on the North-West side of the city.

Citadel of Acre

The Citadel of Acre (Akko) was built on the ruins of the Crusaders fortress on the North-West side of the city. The citadel was the palace of the Governor during the 18th-20th C and later became a large British prison.

St. John Church

 An 18th C Catholic church located on the southern side of the old city of Acre, which was built over the Templars earlier 12th C church.

St. Andrews Church, Acre

 This Greek Catholic Church, built in 1765, is located on the southern-western side of the old city of Acre, over the ruins of a Crusader church.

St. George Church, Acre

 This Greek Orthodox Church, built in the 17th C, is located on the southern-western side of the old city of Acre, over the ruins of a Crusader church.

Bahai Center, Acre

   In Acre and around it are several Holy sites for the Bahai faith, marking the sites were the founder BahaUllah lived his last 32 years and was buried.

El-Majadele Mosque

   A 19th C mosque  on the western side of Acre.  It was built over the western tower of the Crusader's fortress.

Acre Lighthouse

   The lighthouse is located on the south-western corner of Acre. It is located over the foundations of the Crusaders Templar fortress.

Remains of the Roman/Byzantine city

 Recent emergency excavations along Jehoshaphat street in Acre revealed parts of the Roman and Byzantine city, east of the old city.