Acre, Israel

Lore & Background

Acre's first settlement during the Early Bronze Age was abandoned after a few centuries, but a large town was established during the Middle Bronze Age and has been continuously inhabited since. It was subject to conquest and destruction several times, surviving as little more than a large village for centuries. The city was a hugely important maritime foothold during the Crusades and was the site of the 1189–1191 Siege of Acre and the 1291 Siege of Acre, after which it was destroyed by the Mamluks and existed as a modest fishing village until the rule of Daher al-Umar in the 18th century.

Reader's Guide

Acre's significance lies in its continuous habitation since the Middle Bronze Age and its strategic role as a port on the Mediterranean's Levantine Sea. It was a key Crusader stronghold, serving as the last Crusader outpost in the Holy Land before the 1291 Siege of Acre. After the 1948 Arab–Israeli war, its population dramatically changed as its Palestinian-Arab population was expelled or forced to flee, and it was resettled by Jewish immigrants. In present-day Israel, Acre is one of the country's mixed cities, with 32% of its population Arab, and it is the holiest city of the Baháʼí Faith in Israel, receiving many pilgrims annually. The Old City of Acre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Did You Know?

• Acre is among the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on Earth, with continuous habitation since the Middle Bronze Age.
• The city was the last stronghold of the Crusaders in the Holy Land before the 1291 Siege of Acre.
• The Baháʼí World Centre and its holiest shrines are located in Haifa and Acre, drawing pilgrims from around the world.
• The Old City of Acre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.