akká

Akká, also spelled Akko or Akka and widely known in English as Acre, is a historic port city in the Northern District of Israel. Located on the Mediterranean coast about 25 kilometers north of Haifa, it sits at a historical crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The city is noted for its extensively preserved medieval core, including fortifications, underground passages, and a traditional market area that remains active today.

Names and heritage: The city's names reflect its Hebrew and Arabic roots (Akko and Akka); in English it is commonly called Acre. The multiplicity of spellings arises from transliteration from Hebrew, Arabic, and other languages over centuries.

History: Akká has archaeological evidence of settlement dating to the Bronze Age. It rose as a major Phoenician and later Roman center and, from the 12th century, as a Crusader stronghold with formidable walls and a network of tunnels built by the Knights Hospitaller. In the Ottoman era the city expanded, and landmarks such as the Al-Jazzar Mosque were built. The old city and port area bear marks of numerous sieges and reconstructions, while the modern city grew to surround the historic core.

World Heritage: In 2001 the Old City of Acre was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its continuous urban fabric spanning Crusader, Mamluk and Ottoman periods, and its distinctive fortifications and harbor.

Today Akká is a site of tourism and maritime activity, with a mixed Jewish-Arab population and sectors in commerce, fishing, and services. Key attractions include the Crusader fortress, the Knights' tunnels, the Acre Prison, the Al-Jazzar Mosque, and the bustling old market and port.