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Akko – A Classic Mediterranean City
(and great fish restaurants too...)
When I was (much) younger my parents used to take us kids to visit Akko every so often. Just like Jerusalem and Jaffa this city has that special feel that you don’t get anywhere else. It sure has a lot of history. Various cultures passed through Akko or made it their home – the Crusaders, the Ottomans and even Napoleon tried to conquer the city and failed. Akko or Acre – both names are fine – has a lot of tourist attractions, not to mention the awesome fish restaurants.
So, what should you see?
These are the main sites to visit:
The Citadel
A citadel is a shelter used during a battle. The citadel was part of the city’s defense system. Today the citadel serves as the visitor’s center for the old city of Akko. The Ottoman citadel includes the walls, tower and the moat as part of the defensive structure.
During the first part of the 20th century the citadel was used as a prison by the British who ruled the city at the time. There is a memorial of the Jewish resistance prisoners – some of them where executed by the British.
Mike took this picture and jumped in the middle of the citadel.
The Knights Halls
Under the Citadel archeologists discovered several Halls built by the Hospitallers Knights. The knights were a Christian military and religious order that was in charge of the Holy land in the 12th century.
The place is quite gothic and has a church, dungeon, residential area and more.
If you are into medieval architecture…Knights Halls
Jezzar Pasha Mosque
Jezzar Pasha was the Ottoman ruler of Akko and the Galilee. He is also known as ‘the butcher’ which should give you a clue as to his personality…
Jezzar Pasha became famous for defeating Napoleon (not an easy task), after a 2 months siege on Acre in 1799. Jezzar and his relatives are buried in the mosque. The mosque itself is very big and impressive – I definitely recommended you to check it out during your visit to the city.
Jezzar Pasha, who beat Napoleon, also built this
While in the city you can also take a walk on top of the walls of the old city, or go on a 1 hour boat tour around the port
Return from Akko to the Galilee
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