A few kilometres north of Acre's old city, the Bahji estate is the holiest site in the Bahá'í faith — the shrine of Bahá'u'lláh, who was imprisoned in Acre by the Ottomans from 1868 until his death in 1892. The formal gardens surrounding the shrine are magnificent: geometric patterns of flowers, fountains, and cypress trees maintained to a standard that would impress Versailles.
Entry is free and visitors of all faiths are welcome, though dress modestly and enter the shrine itself in respectful silence. The gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Bahá'í terraces in Haifa. Combined, they form the most important pilgrimage site for the world's 5–8 million Bahá'ís.