More than 9,400 people visited the Shrine of the Báb and the Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa last Wednesday and Thursday for an evening opening of the shrine and gardens.
It was the second time this year the Bahá'í World Center had opened the terraced gardens on Mount Carmel to the public after dark, in an event known as Terraces by Night, or Lailah Bahá'í.
Visitors included residents from across Israel and members of the diplomatic community, who were hosted by more than 200 international Bahá'í volunteers and local staff. The program included an art activity, an exhibition and a film screening.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav attended and said he met thousands of visitors enjoying the illuminated gardens.
"The Bahá'í Gardens are much more than one of Haifa's beautiful and well-known landmarks," Yahav stated. "They are an integral part of the city's identity and its unique story."
Bahá'í gardens offer visitors a unique experience
Dr. David Rutstein, Secretary-General of the Bahá'í International Community, said organizers hoped "the unique architecture, the diverse flowers, the glowing lights, and the flowing water" had delighted guests.
The first Terraces by Night was held in 2019, as part of events marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Báb. The event has been held four times since. It is organized by the Bahá'í World Center with the Haifa Municipality and the Haifa Tourism Board.
The Báb, who lived from 1819 to 1850, is regarded as the prophet-herald of the Bahá'í Faith. He is buried in the golden-domed shrine, which is surrounded by 18 terraced gardens. The site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is open to the public during set hours, and admission is free.
Bahá'í history in Haifa dates back to the 19th century
The Bahá'í connection to the Haifa area dates to 1868, when Bahá'u'lláh, founder of the Bahá'í Faith, arrived in the region as an Ottoman prisoner, the same year German Templers founded their colony in Haifa. After his release from strict confinement, he visited the Templer colony on Mount Carmel several times. The Báb, whose teachings preceded his own, was executed in Iran in 1850, and a handful of followers secretly rescued and hid his remains. They were later moved clandestinely across Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, and reached Acre by sea in 1899. On March 21, 1909, they were interred in the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel, built for the purpose by Bahá'u'lláh's son, 'Abdu'l-Bahá.