acre
The city of Acre is a city that remembers the knights
Acre, also known as Akko, is one of the most ancient port cities in Israel, with a history spanning over 4,000 years. The first settlements appeared here as early as the Bronze Age. Thanks to its strategic location at the crossroads of trade routes between Asia, Africa, and Europe, Akko has always been a major port and trading hub. The city is mentioned in Egyptian, Phoenician, and biblical sources, and during the Hellenistic period it was known as Ptolemais.
Throughout the centuries, Akko changed hands many times — conquered by Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, and Ottomans. In the 12th–13th centuries, it became the capital of the Crusader Kingdom and the main base of the Knights Hospitaller. Later, under the Ottoman ruler Al-Jazzar, Akko grew into a thriving administrative and religious center. Its rich history is still visible today in its unique architecture, underground halls, massive walls, and mosques. This is why Akko is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the most atmospheric cities in Israel.
Akko is not only a place for historical exploration but also a destination to enjoy the relaxed charm of the Eastern Mediterranean. Come to walk through thousands of years of history, breathe in the scents of the spice market, and listen to the waves crashing against the old fortress walls.
Al-Jazzar Mosque – the heart of Muslim Acre
The mosque was built in 1781 by the Ottoman ruler Ahmed al-Jazzar, a man notorious for his harsh and ruthless rule. His name, “Al-Jazzar,” means “the Butcher” in Arabic, reflecting his reputation for severity and merciless governance. Yet it was under his leadership that Akko (Acre) flourished, becoming the administrative, military, and religious center of the entire region.
Although appointed governor (wali) of Sidon, Al-Jazzar made Akko his capital and stronghold. He strengthened the city’s defenses, built new walls, and famously repelled Napoleon’s siege in 1799, which elevated him to the status of a national hero and legendary figure in the history of Palestine and Syria.
In 1781, Al-Jazzar began construction of the most magnificent mosque in the region — the Al-Jazzar Mosque — intended to showcase the strength and cultural prosperity of his reign. Built on the site of a former Crusader church, it symbolized the Islamic revival in Acre.
The mosque’s architecture blends Ottoman, Byzantine, and Persian styles. The complex includes not only the prayer hall but also a madrasa (religious school), library, ablution fountain, and the tomb of Al-Jazzar himself. For centuries, it has been a central hub of Muslim life in Acre and remains so to this day.
It is considered the largest mosque built in Israel during the Ottoman period and is still an active center of spiritual life in the city. The main hall, crowned with a green dome, and the tall minaret dominate Acre’s Old City skyline. The mosque’s courtyard is especially impressive: surrounded by colonnades, adorned with a carved ablution fountain, and framed by elegant arches, it radiates serenity and grandeur.
The Knights' Halls and Courtyard – a Memory of the Crusaders
Strolling through Old Acre, it’s impossible to miss the unique historical complex known as the Knights’ Halls, built during the rule of the Hospitaller Order in the 12th–13th centuries. This site is a true labyrinth of underground chambers, refectories, meeting halls, and living quarters of medieval knights.
One of the most impressive highlights of Old Acre, the Knights’ Halls and Hospitaller Fortress, is located just a few minutes’ walk from the Al-Jazzar Mosque. This architectural ensemble represents the remarkably preserved remains of a grand fortified center that belonged to the Hospitallers, one of the most important knightly orders of the Crusades.
The complex includes massive stone halls with high Gothic vaults and mighty columns, once used as dining halls, gathering spaces, kitchens, storerooms, stables, and living quarters. Walking through these spaces gives visitors a true sense of the knights’ lifestyle and the spirit of the 13th century.
A particular point of interest are the underground crypts, secret passages, and tunnels, which once ensured defense and communication within the fortress. Thanks to these hidden structures, Acre became one of the most fortified cities of the Crusaders in the Holy Land.
Today, the Knights’ Halls host modern multimedia installations: sound effects, light projections, and virtual reconstructions immerse visitors in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. You can hear the monks heading to church, the sounds of a city under siege, and witness the arrival of Crusaders in the Holy Land and their eventual expulsion.
The Hospitaller Fortress in Acre is not just a historic monument, but a living museum, where history comes alive before your eyes. It is especially fascinating for both adults and children, making it one of the most unforgettable experiences of visiting Old Acre.
The massive Gothic vaults, narrow passages, and impressive columns allow you to imagine how knights once lived, fought, and prayed here. This archaeological treasure is beautifully restored and enriched with interactive exhibits, making it an ideal stop for families exploring Israel’s heritage.
The Hospitaller Fortress in Acre was established during the second Crusader rule in the Holy Land — at the end of the 12th century, after the city was recaptured from the Muslims in 1191 during the Third Crusade. Acre became the capital of the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem following the fall of Jerusalem itself, and it was here that the leading knightly orders — the Templars and the Hospitallers — set up their bases.
The Hospitallers, also known as the Order of St. John, built their fortress in the northwestern part of the city, close to the port. The complex included residential quarters for knights, a refectory, storerooms, stables, a hospital wing, a crypt, and a network of underground tunnels linking the halls with the city fortifications and the harbor. The site served both defensive and monastic purposes, functioning as a military garrison as well.
The Templars, meanwhile, were based in the southern part of the city, constructing their own halls and fortifications. Though the two orders maintained separate quarters, during sieges and battles they often acted as allies.
In 1291, after a massive assault by the Mamluks, Acre fell, and the Crusaders were forced to abandon the city for good. The Hospitallers relocated first to Cyprus, then to Rhodes, and later to Malta. Their fortress in Acre was abandoned, gradually buried under rubble and forgotten.
It wasn’t until the 20th century archaeological excavations that the complex was rediscovered and systematically restored. Beneath layers of earth, archaeologists uncovered remarkably well-preserved halls, Gothic arches, and architectural elements. Today, the Hospitaller Fortress stands as one of the most important monuments of Crusader architecture in Israel, and it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Hospitaller Fortress is a rare example of history literally unearthed and brought back to life — a place where the past of courage, faith, and struggle is revealed once more.
Promenades of Old Acre
Strolling along the picturesque promenade of the ancient city of Acre, you cannot miss the striking and dramatic Monument to the Fighters for Israel’s Liberation, erected in memory of those who struggled for the creation of the Jewish state during the British Mandate.
The sculpture depicts a human figure breaking through a stone wall — a powerful symbol of breakthrough, liberation, and resistance against oppression. It embodies strength and determination, reflecting the enduring spirit of the Jewish people striving for freedom in their homeland.
The monument faces the sea — the very direction from which, between 1920 and 1945, ships of the illegal Aliyaharrived, carrying Jews fleeing persecution in Europe who sought to reach Palestine despite British restrictions.
Acre itself became a symbol of this resistance: the city was home to the British prison where underground fighters of groups such as Etzel (Irgun) and Lehi were held. It was here that executions, uprisings, and daring escapes took place. The monument commemorates those who gave their lives in this struggle.
On the pedestal, you can read the names of the fallen, along with the inscription: “Sacrifice — for the sake of freedom. Courage. Devotion. Brotherhood.” These words reflect the values of that heroic generation.
Today, the monument is not only a landmark of Acre’s seafront but also a place of remembrance, where both locals and visitors pause to reflect and pay tribute to the heroes whose struggle helped pave the way for the establishment of the State of Israel.
