The Bahá’í World Centre comprises Bahá’í Holy Places and the international headquarters of the Bahá’í religion. Located in Haifa, ‘Akko and the Western Galilee area, it is the spiritual and administrative heart of the global Bahá’í community. The Shrines of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and their surrounding Gardens are Holy Places. They are visited by Baháʼí pilgrims and are also shared as a gift to humanity, open for everyone to visit and experience the tranquility and beauty that they offer.
“The beauty and magnificence of the Gardens and Terraces …are symbolic of the nature of the transformation which is destined to occur both within the hearts of the world’s peoples and in the physical environment of the planet.”
These sacred sites are also shared as a gift to humanity and are open for everyone to visit and experience the tranquility and beauty that they offer. In July 2008, the Baháʼí Holy Places and Gardens in Haifa and ‘Akko were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognized for their “outstanding universal value” as places of pilgrimage and devotion.

These Gardens, located in the heart of Haifa, comprise a staircase of nineteen terraces extending all the way up the northern slope of Mount Carmel. The golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, the resting place of the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith, stands on the central terrace, looking across the bay towards ‘Akko.

The Gardens at Bahjí in ‘Akko form a wide circle surrounding the historic mansion where Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, resided during the final years of His life and the Shrine where His remains were laid to rest. To Bahá’ís, this is the holiest spot on earth.