Akko (historic Acre) is located about 10 miles north on Haifa and is on the Mediterranean coast. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with history dating back to 3,000 B.C. Akko was a major port under Roman rule. During the 12th and 13th centuries the Crusaders built an enormous underground complex known as Crusader City. It was filled in by later Muslim conquerors, but excavation and restoration was begun in the 1950’s.
Ruins along the waterfront.
Seawall of Akko.
Mosque with domes and minaret. Note loudspeakers on minaret which broadcast calls to prayer five times daily.
Church of St. John with Crusader flag.
Orange juice stand.
Getting the dirty dishes organized with 20+ bowls in the stack.
Sign displayed outside a Muslim home in Akko noting they have completed the pilgrimage to Mecca, called the Hadj.
Citadel built on top of Crusader City.
Hall in underground Crusader City.
Typical Crusader City ceiling.
Crusader Latrines. Not much privacy (nor plumbing).
Selling fruit from a pushcart, announcing his arrival with loudspeaker.
Arab ladies in upstairs apartment arranging to buy fruit from above salesman. They can’t come outside without covering so they bargain from the window and send a child down to pay and get fruit.
Akko lighthouse.
Late afternoon sun over the Mediterranean.
From Akko we traveled east to our next stop, Kibbutz Lavi.
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