What whispers do you think echo within the Ovadia Cave? This unassuming opening marks a place of history. It is a place of mystery too. Let’s uncover some cool facts about the Ovadia Cave.
Ovadia Cave is located in Haifa. Haifa is a city with a rich history. It is known for its coexistence and hard work.
Haifa is also home to Mount Carmel. The mountain suffered one of the worst fires in Israel’s history. Haifa’s Kishon River is also mentioned in the Torah.
Haifa is the only city in Israel with a subway. It is called “Carmelit”. The subway goes from the sea up to the mountain.
Haifa is a city of coexistence. Jews Muslims Catholics atheists and Bahais all live here in peace. Tolerance and respect are high here.
Haifa’s port is the biggest of Israel’s international seaports. Many containers products and cruises arrive and leave from here.
Haifa is the third-largest city in Israel. Its population is over 285000 people. About 25% are immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
Haifa is one of the few cities in Israel with public transportation on Shabbat. Buses are available even on Friday nights and Saturdays.
Haifa is home to the interactive museum of science technology and space. It is an amazing place to go with young kids.
Lior Suchard a well-known Israeli mentalist was born and raised in Haifa. He travels the world leaving people amazed.
Haifa has some of the most prestigious universities in the world. The Technion the University of Haifa and the Gordon School of Education are located here. The city is full of very smart students.
The biggest and most gorgeous Baha’i Gardens are in Haifa. Haifa plays a very important role in the history of the newest monotheist religion.
Haifa’s history stretches back to ancient times. The earliest settlement nearby was Tell Abu Hawam. It was a small port town from the 14th century B.C.E.
During the Roman period Jewish burial caves were found here. Haifa is mentioned in Jewish sources as the home of R. Avdimos and other scholars.
In 1046 the Persian traveler Nasir-i Khusrau said that large sailing ships were built in Haifa. He also mentioned date palms and sand used by goldsmiths.
In 1100 the Crusaders conquered Haifa. They slaughtered the Jewish defenders and the Egyptian garrison. During the Crusader era Jews apparently did not resettle in Haifa.
In 1265 Haifa fell to the Mamluk Sultan Baybars. He destroyed the coastal cities to prevent their reoccupation. Haifa was also razed in 1291.
In 1516 the Ottoman Empire conquered Haifa. In 1575 Haifa was described as a half-ruined impoverished village.
In the 17th century commercial trade improved Haifa’s position. More boats began anchoring at the safer Haifa port.
In 1742 Haifa again became a village at the foot of Mount Carmel. It had a small Jewish community and a synagogue.
In 1761 Zahir al-Umar ordered his soldiers to raze Haifa. He then built a new port southeast of ancient Haifa. The new city of Haifa grew up within these walls.
Today Haifa is a vibrant city. It is a center for commerce culture and education. It is also a place of coexistence and innovation. As you stand here at Ovadia Cave consider the many layers of history that make Haifa so unique.