The Shrine of the Bab

  

  
The Shrine of the Bab, one of Haifa's most prominent landmarks, is the Faiths second holiest Shrine. It is the resting-place of the Bab, regarded by Baha'is as a messenger of God whose primary mission was to prepare the way for the coming of Bahá'u'lláh. The terraces of the Shrine of the Bab, opened to the public in June 2001, were designed to provide an appropriate setting and approach for pilgrims and visitors to this Baha'i Holy Place.

Because of His challenging teachings, which called for spiritual and moral renewal, the Bab was publicly martyred in 1850. His remains were preserved and concealed for almost 60 years, eventually transferred to the Holy Land, and in 1909 interred in a mausoleum on the slopes of Mount Carmel. The colonnade and golden dome over the mausoleum were completed in 1953. Their design, by a Canadian architect, William Sutherland Maxwell, harmonizes eastern and western proportions and style. The Shrine is a place for quiet prayer and meditation where no ceremonies or religious services are held. A special prayer used by Baha'is when visiting the Shrine, known as the Tablet of Visitation is hung on the wall in both the original Arabic and an English translation.

The Shrine of `Abdu'l-Baha

  
In the 78th year of His age, in the early hours of the 28th of November, 1921, `Abdu'l-Baha, the appointed Head of the Baha'i Faith, passed away in His home in Haifa. His remains were laid to rest in the northern room of the Shrine of the Bab.  Another prayer used by Baha'is when visiting the Shrine of Abdu'l-Baha, also referred to as the Tablet of Visitation is hung on the wall in both the original Arabic and an English translation.