The new hostel in Old Acre (Akko) stands across from the Northern entrance to the old city, North of the “White Market”. The new structure is situated on land in which a variety of archeological remnants presenting the main cultural values of Old Acre: Remnants of the Crusader City of Acre and water carriage systems from the Ottoman empire. The remnants from this time, which portray a complex urban environment, lead UNESCO to declare the city as a world heritage site.
Remnants with a physical continuum, from two different historical periods, were discovered on the new hostel’s premises: A crusader residential neighborhood, presenting the day-to-day life of that era. and a water carrying system from the period of the Ottoman empire.
In order to understand these findings, it is important to emphasize the physical continuum which allows to present an urban tapestry. The program includes:
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A historical story expressing the content and cultural values and focusess on the findings
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An archeological display
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Illustration and instruction stations
On hostel premises we display two facets of the Crusades period and the Ottoman empire which are barely displayed to the public within the old city of Acre: The day-to-day life in Acre during the crusades, and water carrying systems during the Ottoman rule. IYHA’s education department, which develops educational programs in cooperation with the Conservation Administration in the Israel Antiquities Authority, have created a program which will enrich hostel visitors’ experience.
The goal of the program is to connect the hostel, its education program, and the findings on its premises to the historical and cultural content of the entire Old City of Acre, making the hostel a cultural and educational base, a starting point for visitors of Old Acre, and a community center connecting the local public to the rich history of the city.
