Universal House of Justice announces acquisition of Haifa property where Baha’u’llah once stayed
The international governing body of the Baha’i Faith, the Universal House of Justice, has sent a message to all the world’s Baha’i national governing bodies informing them that a Templar house where Baha’u’llah once stayed in Haifa has been acquired by the Baha’i World Centre.
Plans are now being prepared for the restoration of the building so it can be opened to pilgrims visiting the city.
In the message, the Universal House of Justice states that “after many years of patient negotiation, the city of Haifa has agreed to transfer to the Baha’i World Centre the ownership of a two-storey Templar house on the lower slopes of Mount Carmel where Baha’u’llah Himself once stayed during a visit to the city”.
The property is located to the east of the plaza at the foot of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab and adjacent to where Baha’u’llah first pitched His tent. It was built by a family of German Templars.
“When the Blessed Beauty [Baha’u’llah] visited Haifa in the summer of 1891 and suffered a short illness, He stayed for a few days in the house as a guest of the family,” the Universal House of Justice states.
Read the message in its entirety below:
1 December 2025
The Universal House of Justice
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
We are pleased to announce that, after many years of patient negotiation, the city of Haifa has agreed to transfer to the Bahá’í World Centre the ownership of a two-storey Templar house on the lower slopes of Mount Carmel where Bahá’u’lláh Himself once stayed during a visit to the city. The property is to the east of the plaza at the foot of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb and adjacent to land where Bahá’u’lláh’s tent was pitched. The building, which sits on three hundred and sixteen square metres of land, is located in the World Heritage area of the Shrine of the Báb and its surroundings. It was built by a family of German Templars who inscribed the capstone above the front door of the house with the prophetic words “Der Herr ist nahe”, the Lord is nigh. When the Blessed Beauty visited Haifa in the summer of 1891 and suffered a short illness, He stayed for a few days in the house as a guest of the family. Plans are being prepared for the restoration of the building so that, in time, it may be opened to pilgrims and visitors.
Kindly share this message with the members of your community.
Featured image: Shrine of the Báb as seen from Carmel Avenue (now Ben Gurion), 1950s
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The Universal House of Justice
The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Baha’i Faith. Ordained by Baha’u’llah in His book of laws, the Kitab-i-Aqdas, it is a nine-member body elected every five years by the entire membership of all national Baha’i assemblies.
Published in December, 2025, in Baha'i Institutions > News & Announcements
Available online at: horizons.bahai.org.au/bahai-institutions/universal-house-of-justice-announces-acquisition-of-haifa-property-where-bahaullah-once-stayed/
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