Traverse the southern section of Acre Old City’s underground in this medieval passageway that once led from the Knights Templar fortress to the marina.
The Templars’ Tunnel comprises a 1,150-foot (350-meter) underground passage carved by the Knights Templar, connecting the Christian order’s former palace to the port. Today, its wooden walkway and stone walls are illuminated by elegant side lights. Multimedia presentations in English help you navigate the intricate history. Find out about the uses and designs of the tunnel through the various images and displays marking the walls.
Access the tunnel via the eastern or western entrance. The passageway was built as a means for escape in the event that the fortress was attacked. The wooden pathway is a modern addition allowing visitors to remain above the water that crept into the tunnel over the centuries.
See the water lapping the stone sides of the tunnel below the walkway and study the silhouetted figures of the knights cast on the wall. Inspect myriad plaques and works of art providing a window into Crusader architecture and culture. The Knights Templar was a powerful militant organization that served to protect Christian pilgrims from attack.
Learn more about the fascinating history behind the tunnel. The 12th-century fortress that it linked to the marina was disassembled in the 1700s and its materials were used to reinforce the city walls. When the tunnel was rediscovered in 1994, it was completely flooded. Conservationists used pumps to lower the water level.
Pay the entrance fee, which offers discounted prices for children. The site opens daily from morning until early evening. Exit the tunnel to enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine at one of the restaurants in the southern part of the Old Town district.
The Templars’ Tunnel has entrances in the southwestern and southeastern parts of Acre Old City. The western entrance is a 5-minute walk south from the Citadel of Acre. While in the area, visit the Acre Lighthouse, the Khan al-Umdan historic inn and the Ze’ev Frid Marina.
