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The Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel is home to vast terraced gardens, sloped magnificently down the side of Mount Carmel. Centred in these iconic gardens is the Shrine of the Bab, one of the twin manifestations of God that Baha’is follow. The shrine’s dome is covered in gold, and lights up at night to create a beautiful beacon on the mountainside. In the surrounding gardens and terraces are buildings of the Baha’i World Centre, including the seat of the Universal House of Justice, the supreme body of the worldwide Baha’i community.
Every year Baha’is from around the world visit the Shrine and other Baha’i holy places on pilgrimage, often taking photographs to remember their experiences. Thanks to the photographers of 500px, we’ve pulled together some of the most stunning photographs from these magical gardens and buildings. Here they are:
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like our other photo compilations: 21 Stunning Photos of Baha’i Houses of Worship, 14 Beautiful Baha’i Images of Prayer and Reflection, and The Evocative Work of Baha’i Photographer Shahriar Erfanian.
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hi there,
I am a longstanding Bahai, but am a creative emerging from years of pioneering and NOT engaging much in the arts.
I was once an illustrator, and jeweler.
I was inspired by your photos of the BWC for architectural reference and light, and just wanted to say I really like your work.
My website just went up yesterday, and its just some of my illustrations, and not colorbalanced or orgaznized at all.
Thanks for your work. Its really lovely.
Jeff
ps- also just saw the jewelry link…. I am also a lapidary and silversmith…
jeff jain (October 10, 2014 at 7:46 PM)
Beatiful pics. I’m making jewellery too, buying stones from India. I’ m a baha’i’ since 1964 in Genova, Northern Italy, my spiritual father…Sohrab Youssefian!
Gianfranco Mazzoni (May 5, 2016 at 5:15 PM)
Thank you for your breath-taking photos, look forward to seeing more!
Linda O'Neil Ottawa Canada (October 10, 2014 at 9:06 PM)
So breathtaking. Cannot stop looking at the photos. Thank you for sharing.
INDRANI (October 10, 2014 at 2:30 AM)
Breath taking photos you have confirmations from Bahaullah….
Mehrdad (October 10, 2014 at 9:51 AM)
Yes, something about those columns are so majestic!! One of my favorite photos from Israel has to be this one of the Ridvan Garden from Lindsey Lugsch-Tehle http://www.nineteenmonths.com/splendour-baha-2014/
Andrea Hope (November 11, 2014 at 6:18 PM)
Very amazing
ashraf (November 11, 2014 at 5:13 PM)
Well done Collis, impressive and breath-taking photos.
Misel D. (November 11, 2014 at 10:52 PM)
Absolutely beautifully presented and spiritually inspiring.
God bless you
Thank you,
Mike.
Mike Sekkouah (December 12, 2015 at 10:50 PM)
I have visited Once., as a pilgrimage., Love to visit again
Suraiya Boman Dodvand (March 3, 2016 at 4:38 AM)
Amazing selection of viewers perspective .
Ambrocio Cacho (March 3, 2016 at 5:57 AM)
Your presentation is amazing, made me to remember my pilgrimage and see details that never noted. Thanks.
Maria Ch.
Maria Ch (May 5, 2016 at 1:29 PM)
so amazing, so refreshing, so invigorating, so spiritual. Thank you sir for recording such wonderful pictures. I would like to have your permission to show some of these pictures on a TV program that I will attend speaking about my pilgrimage experience.
Ghasem Bayat (May 5, 2016 at 5:50 PM)
Thank you taking and sharing these wonderful pictures
Ajit Giani (May 5, 2016 at 9:06 PM)
The pictures are truly amazing more so for people like me who had never ever been to holy place.
Maaney (May 5, 2016 at 7:04 AM)
Hello, I am a humanist/agnostic. I lived in Haifa a few months and at night walked on the lookout promenade above the shrine of the Bab. Your photos are really beautiful and very expressive. I love the classical simplicity and purity of the buildings. The lighting at night is superb. Unfortunately the place seems to be closed off for folks not on pilgrimage. I would love to sit in one of the gardens and paint! Thanks for the photos.
Dennis (September 9, 2016 at 6:41 PM)
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for your comment! Yes, the Shrine of the Bab and its gardens are truly beautiful.
There are times when sections of the gardens are open to the public and you can also take tours of the terraced gardens. For more information, here is the official website for the Baha’i Gardens: http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/
-Sonjel
Sonjel Vreeland (September 9, 2016 at 3:46 PM)
The pictures are a true delight! Thank you Sonjel for linking to this gem of a post and thank you Collis for publishing it.
Miriam Peretz (April 4, 2021 at 3:44 PM)