The resting places of Baha'u'llah and the Bab, in Acre and nearby Haifa, Israel, respectively, have been designated World Heritage sites by UNESCO.

Considered the two most sacred sites for Baha'is, the shrines of the founders of the Baha'i Faith possess “outstanding universal value” and should be considered part of the cultural heritage of humanity, said members of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Other World Heritage sites include the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge, the Vatican, the Old City of Jerusalem and the remains of the recently destroyed Bamiyan Buddhist statues in Afghanistan.


The Shrine of Baha’u’llah near Acre, north of Haifa, is the
holiest spot on earth for members of the Baha’i Faith The Baha'i shrines are the first sites connected with a religious tradition born in modern times to be added to the list, which is maintained by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The shrines are noteworthy for the formal gardens that surround them, blending design elements from many cultures. In addition to Baha'i pilgrims, they attract hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists every year.

The shrine of Baha'u'llah is the focal point of prayer for Baha'is throughout the world, giving it an importance comparable to the Western Wall in Jerusalem for Jews and the Kaaba in Mecca for Muslims.

Born in Iran, Baha’u’llah was banished to Acre in what was then the Ottoman Empire, where he died in 1892. The Bab was executed in Iran in 1850; his remains were later moved to Haifa for burial.

The World Heritage Committee is composed of 21 states that are signatories of the World Heritage Convention.