Page 30 - Discover Israel Magazine - UK edition 2017

The sea wall and Saint John's Church
several decades to reveal the city's many
underground layers that relate the stories of
the conquerors, the construction and the
destruction wrought by those who ruled
it. The antiquities of the city, which are an
integral part of the life and character of Akko,
are filled with life all year long.
Akko is host to many cultural events: The
Acco Festival of Alternative Theatre is
held on the intermediate days of Sukkot in
Knights Halls built during the Crusader era.
Operas performed by the Tel Aviv Opera
are showcased in the knights' courtyard
as are performances brought from abroad.
Akko and its many halls is also home to the
world's most important International Harp
Contest as well as to other performances,
including concerts of contemporary and
ancient music in the Old City.
During the week, there are also "knights'
feasts" open to the general public and
theatrical performances in the Crusader-
period citadel. Food at the feast is eaten
by candlelight and torches, with waiters
dressed in authentic costumes. At the nearby
Hippodrome, there are horse races and
battles of knights. It also presents a theatrical Mountains of North Africa, the forests of the
rendition of the life of King Richard the
Lionheart. The event is held in the Crusader
Citadel, also known as the Hospitalier
Fortress, one of the world's most impressive
and one of the reasons that UNESCO
granted Akko the status of World Heritage
D I S C O V E R I S R A E L 30
Site. The citadel was built in the 12th Century
by Knights of the Hospitaller, an order that
provided assistance to the Crusaders when
they arrived from Europe to Akko.
Tourists to the Old City will find advanced
audio-visual presentations in a large variety
of languages, including films about the
city's history. Each site also offers a film that in the Galilee. The park offers adrenaline
describes how people lived there in the past.
The Orchard Park has just been opened in
the Old Orchard. It is a restoration of the
historic Ottoman garden. Orchard Park
was created during the Ottoman period,
and Ahmad Pash el-Jazzar is believed to
have been responsible for its construction.
Here you will find trees with citrus fruit,
pomegranates, olives, sycamores, lemons,
plums, decorative vines, cypress, ficus,
decorative plants, fountains, seating areas
and more. The tall trees planted there grow
in the region, and some of them also existed
in the original orchard.
And if we are on the subject of gardens, how
can we not mention the Botanical Garden.
It is filled with a wide variety of plants. The
5.19 acres contains plants from the Atlas
Iberian Peninsula, many old varieties from
the Canary Islands, plant life from the eastern
Mediterranean and, of course, plants from
Israel's coastal plain and Negev. What's
more, the park also offers attractions for
the entire family: special amusement parks
with the historical motifs of Akko, such as
the Citadel and lighthouse, walking paths,
observation points, seating areas and
fountains, all attached by convenient wide
and accessible paths.
In Akko, you will also find Extreme Park,
considered the largest and most professional
junkies a direct encounter with extreme
activities that are perfect for teens and adults
alike. 2,000 sq m. of indoor and outdoor
climbing walls, including one, which at 30
meters, is believed to be the highest in the
Middle East. Most of the walls are designed
for adult extreme sport lovers, but some are
designed with kids in mind. The complex
also offers activities for children and toddlers,
including a climbing wall for the little ones,
allowing the entire family to enjoy the wide
range of extreme sports.
And, if you want to come to Akko by sea,
and not by car or train - there is a boat that
sails to and from Haifa Port several times
a day. The Ministry of Tourism is currently
investing in upgrading infrastructures at the
ports of Haifa and Akko. This has resulted
in a regular sea line between the two cities.
The marine option can add another special
facet to your experience of Haifa and Akko.
You can take the train to Haifa and the sail to
Akko to continue the fun. When you're done,
you can take a train from the nearby station
to any point you choose.