Remember the series of Mt Carmel schools, convents and other educational institutes in our state? The name "Carmel" is borrowed from the catholic order called Carmelites whose foundation was laid on this mountain. . But Carmel has a history much before Carmelites were formed. The word Carmel means "vineyard of God" in Hebrew. The Carmel range is approximately 6.5 to 8 km wide and the highest altitude is at the northeastern face (525.4m)This mountain is known to the ancient Hebrews as a symbol of fruitfulness and prosperity. "It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God" describes the Holy Bible (Isaiah 35:2). Mount Carmel, held sacred by Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Bahá'ís alike, has been at the crossroads of human history for as long as humankind has record. Pythagoras (refresh your school geometry, Pythagoras theory!) stayed in these hills on his way to Egypt; the prophet Elijah made his home in two of Carmel's caves; The holy family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) is said to have paused here on their way back from Egypt; and the Crusaders made pilgrimage to this holy mountain in 1150 AD. Druze settled here in the sixteenth century, coming from Lebanon; in 1868 the German Templers built a colony here; and in 1891 Bahá'u'lláh pitched His tent here making Carmel a holy place for Bahá'ís of the world.
The Carmelite Christians (a religious order of the Catholic Church) erected a large monastery above a cave at the top of Mt Carmel which constitutes their world centre. In 1226 AD Crusaders received permission from Rome to form the Carmelite Order. This large monastery known as the Stella Maris monastery was destroyed by Arabs and rebuilt several times. The church became a mosque during the Arab period. The current church and monastery was rebuilt at this ancient site on Mount Carmel in 1826. Its name, which means Star of the Sea, has its origin from the lighthouse built in 1864, just across the road from the Carmelite Basilica. Today this view point gives some of the best views of modern Haifa city. The church's main altar is directly above the cave where the prophet Elijah is said to have lived. This new church was seriously damaged in Napoleon’s 1799 campaign. Sick and wounded French soldiers were accommodated in the monastery, and when Napoleon withdrew, the Turks massacred these men, and drove out the monks.The pyramid in front of the church is a memorial to the French soldiers who died here after Napoleon's retreat. It bears the inscription "How are the mighty fallen in battle," from King David's lamentation over Saul and Jonathan.The statue of the Virgin Mary, carved from cedar (Devadaru in Mal) of Lebanon, is also notable.
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