Stella Maris, meaning “Star of the Sea” in Latin, is a church located atop Mount Carmel near Haifa, Israel. It is dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is often invoked as a protector of sailors. The church is also associated with the prophet Elijah, who, according to tradition, took refuge in a cave nearby. Adjacent to the church is a monastery belonging to the Carmelite Christian order, which traces its origins to Mount Carmel.
The history of Stella Maris is marked by destruction and relocation. Originally situated near the cave of Elijah, the church was repeatedly built and destroyed over time. Eventually, it was relocated to its current position atop Mount Carmel, about a 10-minute walk from its original site. Today, Stella Maris remains a significant pilgrimage site for Christians, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and serving as a place of prayer and reflection.
The Carmelite Order
The Carmelite Order traces its origins back to the aftermath of the 3rd Crusade in 1201. It began in a place already considered sacred by the Byzantines, near Wadi Sheikh. Seeking recognition as a military order, a community gathered and appealed to Patriarch Albert of Jerusalem, receiving acknowledgment and establishing a large Crusader church at Nahal Sheikh, close to Elisha’s healing spring.
However, with the decline of the Crusaders in the Holy Land from 1260 onwards, battles against the Mamluk forces intensified. Eventually, in 1263, the Carmelite Order abandoned the monastery at Nahal Sheikh and retreated towards Atlit, which was later captured by Muslims. For 400 years, Mount Carmel saw no Carmelite presence.
In 1631, Father Prosper, the head of the Carmelite Church, revived the order’s presence by purchasing land in Haifa using funds from the Carmelite community in Europe. The symbol of the Carmelite Order is Mount Carmel itself, along with a cross, reflecting the order’s deep connection to this sacred mountain.
Within the church
At the entrance to the Stella Maris Church, visitors encounter a display featuring archaeological discoveries made near the church, including a notable foot sculpture dating back to the 2nd century BC, which is believed to be associated with the sun god Helios. This connection is significant, as Helios shares similarities with the biblical figure Elijah, who is central to the church’s themes.
The bronze door relief sculptures depict scenes of Mary with Jesus alongside Elijah battling pagans, highlighting the intertwining of biblical and historical narratives. Inside, the church’s dome, painted between 1924 and 1928 by the Italian Carmelite artist Luigi Poggi, features eight triangles with biblical narratives.
The grotto within the church, according to Carmelite tradition, is where Elijah sought refuge from the pagans. An altar with a statue of Elijah stands within the grotto, symbolizing his significance to the Carmelites and his parallels with Jesus in biblical history.
The church’s interior is adorned with beautiful white marbles and inscriptions honoring holy Christian figures, including Edith Stein. Stein, a German Jew who converted to Christianity and joined the Carmelite order, was martyred in Auschwitz during World War II. Canonized as a saint in 1998, she is celebrated for her faith and resilience.
Artwork on the walls depicts Stein’s outstretched hand reaching towards the cross, symbolizing her enduring faith despite the horrors of Auschwitz. Additionally, a large organ in the church is used for concert events, adding to the spiritual and cultural significance of Stella Maris Church.
Basic Information
Church name: Stella Maris Carmelite Church
Address: Stella Maris road, Haifa
Christianity Carmelite order.
Year of build: 1853
Arrival options
| Bus lines | From Haifa bus station, line no.1, 111, 40. |
| Car | Write in waze “Stella Maris Monastry”. You can park in “Leo Baeack upper parking”. |
Arriving information
Accessibility: not accessible for wheelchairs.
Please note that admission is free.
Telephone number 972-(0)4-8337758 08:30-12:00, afternoon 15:00 to 18:00 every day.
Toilet-Available at nearby cave Elijah, and costs money.
Nearby site activities
You can drive to Bahai Garden Loui Promenade and see the gardens of Bahai, see the port and see Acre from afar. Haifa has a lot to offer. You may take a culinary tour, visit Gratify, visit the Science Museum, visit the zoo, meet local Muslims, Jews and Christians.
My experience
Haifa boasts numerous historical and religious sites, and the Stella Maris Church holds a special connection to the biblical figure Elisha. Outside the church, a gravestone commemorates a mass grave of Napoleon’s soldiers who fell ill and were subsequently killed by Ottoman soldiers while seeking refuge in the monastery.
Adjacent to the church stands a statue donated by the Chilean government, crafted from the remains of cannons used in the Chilean civil war. This statue depicts Mary and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Carmel.
For panoramic views of the sea, visitors can utilize the nearby cable car, which offers breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean. Additionally, a day trip to Haifa could include a visit to the beautiful city of Acre and an exploration of the Bahai faith.
For more information, you can visit the church’s website.
https://www.carmelholylanddco.org/stella-maris-church/
