Acre: History Above and Below Street Level

Acre can be explored through its urban layout and various historical themes. If you are interested in urban history, you will encounter traces of the Crusader period as well as insights into the Ottoman era and traditional crafts. The routes on offer also differ considerably: they lead to historic sites, focus on a particular heritage, or follow the city walls.

Acre’s Cityscape and History

The remains of the Crusader city lie above and below today’s street level. They offer an exceptional picture of the layout and buildings of the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Jerusalem. This means that Acre’s history can be explored through more than individual buildings: the remains in relation to today’s street level also give an impression of the historic city plan.

The walled port city is characterized by narrow, winding streets, public buildings and houses. The fact that Acre has been continuously inhabited since Phoenician times offers another perspective across the centuries. In the Hospitaller Quarter, the fortress, hospital, church and hospice were among the institutions that served the many pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. This historic function provides a distinct way to explore the city’s past.

The Ramchal Visitors Center in the Old City focuses on the life of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as Ramchal, and the Jewish community of Acre during Crusader rule in the 12th and 13th centuries. The focus here is therefore on a person and the history of a community in a particular period. The “Treasures in the Wall” museum takes a different approach: its collections and traditional crafts date from the 19th century.

Historic Sites and Cultural Themes

The architectural history of the Turkish Bath also offers a distinct perspective on Acre. The bath dates from the 18th century and was built by Jazzar Pasha. The story of the last bath attendant presents a chapter in Acre’s Ottoman history. This links the bath’s history to a specific historical period, without equating it with the city’s medieval themes.

Visitors can book actor-led tours at the “Treasures in the Wall” museum. These bring the objects to life and involve visitors in the museum experience. If you are planning this type of tour, check in advance whether it is available for your chosen date.

One architectural feature is the Templar Tunnel: it is about 150 meters long and runs beneath the city’s houses. Its approximate length and route make it a different historic landmark from the visible urban layout, characterized by narrow streets. The Enchanted Garden, also called the Festival Garden, serves as a forecourt at the entrance to the Hospitaller Fortress. It is home to 150-year-old ficus trees. The garden and trees complement the historic themes with a named place that has its own architectural role and distinctive trees.

Choose Routes by Theme and Format

The routes differ in both theme and format. The Classic Route is a paid walking route to the historic sites of Old Acre; a combination ticket is available for it. The Jewish Route is a free walking route that explores Jewish heritage from Abraham to the present day. If you are choosing between these two options, theme and cost are the stated differences.

The two routes along the walls are also different offerings. The Walls Route is a free walking route along the walls of Acre. The Maritime Route is a paid boat route that follows the city walls and offers a view of the Old City from the sea. This means there is a walking route and a boat route, with different prices. For your planning, it is a good idea to check the current availability of each route and the combination ticket.

Discover more destinations: Shoresh, En Hod, Bet Oren, Yahel, Isfiya, Abirim, Shefayim, Hadera.

For the broader travel overview: Israel.