Before His passing, Baha'u'llah indicated that the world center for the Faith He had founded would be in the Haifa/Akka area in the north of what is now Israel. The region today is the spiritual and administrative heart of the Baha'i Faith.

The final resting places of both Baha'u'llah and the Bab are in the region. The gold-domed Shrine of the Bab sits on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa while the majestic Shrine of Baha'u'llah is located just across the bay at Bahji, outside of Akka (also known as Acre). Situated in the heart of magnificent gardens, these two spots are the most holy places in the Baha'i world.

Each year, thousands of pilgrims come from around the world to pray and meditate in the Shrines, and to visit the other Baha'i holy places in the Haifa/Akka area. The shrines of Baha'u'llah and the Bab are also open to the general public.

Pictures of Baha'i Holy places can be found in the Baha'i Media Bank. http://www.media.bahai.org/subjects/locations/