At the foot of Stella Maris on Mount Carmel, a cave has been revered for centuries as the hiding place of the prophet Elijah. According to tradition, Elijah took refuge here after his confrontation with the prophets of Baal at Muhraka, fleeing the wrath of Queen Jezebel who had sworn to kill him.
Sacred to All
What makes Elijah’s Cave unusual is that it is holy to four faiths simultaneously. Jews venerate Elijah as a prophet and the herald of the Messiah. Christians honor him as a forerunner of Christ. Muslims revere him as the prophet al-Khidr. And the Druze consider him one of their central prophets. The cave is one of the few places in Israel where all four communities pray, sometimes on the same day.
The Cave
The cave is a natural grotto in the Carmel limestone, modest in size but atmospheric. Visitors light candles, leave written prayers, and sit quietly in a space that has been a place of devotion for at least two thousand years. The cave is freely accessible and is located just below the Stella Maris monastery.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
Elijah’s Cave combines naturally with Stella Maris and the Baha’i Gardens for a Haifa day that covers four faiths on one mountain.