Haifa

6 Things You Never Knew about the City on the Slopes of Mount Carmel

1.     It is the third-largest city in Israel. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv claim the number one and number two spots.

2.     It was conquered at least 10 different times. The Phoenicians, Persians, Hasmoneans, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans, British and Israelis each ruled Haifa at one time.

3.     It is the only city in Israel with an underground rapid transit system. This system is known as the Carmelit.

4.     It is mentioned in the Talmud. Not only is it mentioned in the Talmud, it is mentioned over 100 times!

5.     Its mountain top is the home of the “Cave of Elijah.” Atop Mount Carmel is this grotto linked to the prophets Elijah and Elisha.

6.     The highest peak of the mountain range on which it sits is called the Muhraka. Muhraka is Arabic meaning “place of burning.” The peaks of Mount Carmel were used as a place for burnt offerings and sacrifices during the early Israelite period. Perhaps the most famous account of burnt offerings made atop Mount Carmel is found in 1 Kings 18 where the prophet of Yahweh, Elijah, challenges the prophets of Baal to a showdown.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa