Akka (Acre): A Guide to Palestine's Walled Sea City
On the northern coast, where the Mediterranean meets thick stone walls, lies Akka, known in English as Acre. Its old city is one of the most atmospheric places in historic Palestine.
A port for thousands of years
Akka has been a harbour since ancient times, used by Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. In the Middle Ages it became a key Crusader port, and many of the vaulted halls built in that period still survive beneath the Ottoman town.
The Ottoman old town
Much of what you see today dates from the 18th century, when local rulers rebuilt the city. The white-domed al-Jazzar Mosque, the caravanserai of Khan al-Umdan and the massive sea walls are its best-known landmarks. The walls famously held out against Napoleon's siege in 1799.
A living city
The old city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. It is not a museum: Palestinian families still live in its narrow lanes, and fishermen still work from the harbour. Its market is known for fish, sweets and coffee.
Akka in memory
For many Palestinians in Britain whose families come from the north, Akka is a name spoken with pride. Its walls have become a symbol of steadfastness, a city that has seen empires come and go.
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FAQ
+Where is Akka (Acre)?
Akka is a port city on the northern Mediterranean coast of historic Palestine.
+Is Akka a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. The old city of Acre was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
+What are the main sights in Akka?
The sea walls, the al-Jazzar Mosque, Khan al-Umdan and the Crusader-era halls beneath the old town.
+Did Napoleon attack Akka?
Yes. Napoleon besieged Akka in 1799, but the city's walls held and he withdrew.
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