Kosher and Jewish Life in Acco

Acco is a city in the northern coastal plain region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. The city occupies an important location, as it sits on the coast of the Mediterranean, traditionally linking the waterways and commercial activity with the Levant. Acre is one of the oldest sites in the world. In crusader times it was known as St. John d'Acre after the Knights Hospitaller of St John order who had their headquarters there. Acre is the holiest city of the Bahá'í Faith, and as such gets many Baha'i pilgrims. In 2014 the population was 47,464. Acre is a mixed city that includes Jews, Muslims, Christians and Baha'is The name 'Akka is recorded in Egyptian sources from about 1000 BC. Acco's Old City has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In 2011, archaeologists excavating at the foot of the city's southern seawall found a quay and other evidence of a 1,300-year old port. There are many other archaoligical sites around Acco from different periods of its history. There is a covered market by the quay and a wall-top walk around the quay.