Everyone has heard of the Seven Wonders of the World—man-made structures from ancient times that seem to defy the technological possibilities of their time.
There is an even more comprehensive collection of sites, recognized not for their technological feats alone but for their cultural and historical importance. These are the World Heritage Sites, so categorized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO). Visiting these sites can be a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture of mankind.
Israel is home to 12 such World Heritage Sites. Visiting any or all of them can make for a very enlightening addition to any Israel itinerary.
Masada
Israel’s most popular tourist site, Masada probably has one of the most dramatic histories of any World Heritage Site. Situated in the midst of the Judean Desert, this mountain was the site of one of King Herod’s magnificent fortresses. But the real drama of Masada dates to the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. From 68-72 CE, the fortress was the last stronghold of the rebellion. For four years, Jewish Zealots held off the Roman army, until the army laid siege to the fortress and built a ramp up the side of the mountain. When they reached the top, in the spring of 73 CE, they discovered that the Zealots had decided to commit suicide, rather than be taken prisoner. This has become a seminal story of heroism for the Jewish people and for the State of Israel.
Visitors to Masada can climb to the top of the mountain via the “snake path” or ascend in a cable car. Once there, they can walk among the well-preserved ruins of the site; take in the magnificent views of the Dead Sea and surrounding area; and visit the tourist center, which features a movie about the story of Massada, a model of the site, and an exhibit of the archeological findings.
Old City of Akko (Acre)
The port city of Akko dates back to the 16th century BCE. The city’s prime location on the Mediterranean made it a prize to be won, and it was conquered by both the Crusaders and the Ottoman Empire, among others. Even Napoleon tried to occupy the city. Within the walls of the old city one finds ruins from the Roman period; halls of the Crusaders; mosques and Turkish baths built by the Ottomans; and remains of many more civilizations, layered one on top of the other.
The city itself is vibrant and bustling, with a well-known open-air market and colorful annual festivals. It is home to one of Israel’s most famous hummus restaurants and is renowned for its seafood restaurants. It is also the site of another World Heritage Site, the Baha’i faith’s Shrine of the Baha’u’llah.
Baha’i Holy Places
The Baha’i faith, founded in the 19th century in Persia, preaches unity and the progressive revelation of religious truth. Its founder, known as Baha’u’llah, was exiled from Persia for his beliefs, and settled in Akko. His home there, known as the Shrine of the Baha’u’llah, is a site of pilgrimage of followers of the Baha’i faith, as is his burial site just north of the city.
Further south, in Haifa, is the Shrine of the Bab, another major figure in the faith who was executed in Persia in 1850. The Shrine, a magnificent domed building, sits at the top of a series of nineteen colorful terraced gardens. The gardens are also home to the Universal House of Justice, seat of the nine members of the high Baha’i council. Many visitors to the gardens begin at the Shrine and make their way down through the gardens; Baha’i pilgrims, as part of their pilgrimage, climb from the foot of the gardens up to the Shrine. More information on the Baha’i faith can be found at www.bahai.org.
Biblical Tels of Megiddo, Hazor and Beer Sheba
Israel is filled with tells, sites where ancient civilizations built new structures directly on top of old ones, creating layers of ruins. They are a gold mine for archaeological discovery, revealing a complete history of a particular area. Of Israel’s more than 200 tels, three have been designated as World Heritage Sites—Meggido, Hazor and Beer Sheba. They each contain significant remains of Biblical-era cities and provide valuable insight into the development of the area’s government, economy and technology over millennia.
The Incense Route Towns of Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta
The Incense Route, a 1,500-mile-long frankincense and myrrh trade route running from Arabia to the Mediterranean, was built nearly 2,000 years ago. It ran through Israel’s Negev desert, and through the towns of Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta, all of which were built by traders. Archaeological findings in the towns have revealed sophisticated irrigation systems and urban construction. These discoveries have provided insight into how ancient civilizations survived and thrived in the Negev’s harsh desert climate.
The White City of Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, which was founded in 1909, attracted many artists and innovators in the early part of the 1900s, including architects from Germany’s Bauhaus School. These architects utilized principles of the Bauhaus school—including functionality, simplicity and asymmetry—in designing thousands of buildings in Tel Aviv’s growing urban center. Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus buildings are characterized by their white or light color, narrow windows and pillars, all aspects incorporated to combat the Mediterranean heat. There are more than 4,000 Bauhaus-style buildings in Tel Aviv, the largest collection in the world. Many are well-preserved, while others are in the process of being restored.
For more information on these and other World Heritage Sites, visit UNESCO’s World Heritage website at whc.unesco.org. To find out about visiting Israel’s World Heritage Sites, visit the website of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority - www.parks.org.il.
Julie Cooper is the Director of Public Relations for the Israel Government Tourist Office – Midwest Region. For more information on traveling to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.
