In the northwest of the city of Acre, right below the lighthouse, is the Sheikh's Pool – a magical place full of nature and interest, but by no means a place that is recommended to be visited without caution.
The pool, known to the residents of Acre as a place called "Sachared Sheikha," is named after a sheikh who would come to the place every morning, throw fishing rods and fish into the water, and return at the end of the day with spoils from the sea. Is this story true? It is likely that it is, at least according to the testimony of the elders of the city.
What makes Sheikh's Pool an attraction is its unique topographic location. The currents and winds in the area mean that it is one of the spots where there is an abundance of fish in the sea water, which attracts fishermen from the area. Since 1997, many observations have been made in the area every month, indicating the abundance of food that attracts many species of fish.
But there are also dangerous sides here. The pool is located in a boating area, which makes it difficult to dive or swim. In addition, easterly winds, such as those that hit the area last Tuesday, can make the place extremely dangerous. It is no secret that the lighthouse in Acre, like many lighthouses around the world, was built in strategic locations to warn of dangerous places for boats.
Acre is not alone: Rosh Carmel, Jaffa and Rosh Hanikra are also considered problematic areas in terms of danger to boats and divers. When the east wind blows strongly, the area becomes an especially dangerous spot. Many testimonies tell of people being swept into the depths of the sea quickly, when the distance from the lighthouse, which is located over a kilometer from the coast, makes the wave conditions extremely dangerous.
This pool, which miraculously also served as a habitat for various marine creatures, is a historical reminder of the tsunami that hit the city of Acre during the Crusader period. A huge wave rose from the sea and swept away the Crusader soldiers who were besieging the city, killing thousands of them – which actually helped to free the besieged. Even today, in the lagoon, remains of ancient buildings can be found, some of which are considered to be the courtyards of Crusader soldiers.
Today, the place is also a habitat for various plants and animals. Among them, you can find kelp (or ulva) that covers the area in the spring, creating a slippery crust on the surface. In addition, species of marine creatures such as vaginal worms, crustaceans and mollusks have found a place to breed there.
In short, the Sheikh's Pool in Acre is a hidden place with a magical and diverse nature, where many marine animals live. It is a natural corner that not many people know about, but it is also a place that requires caution. Various natural phenomena, such as the algae bloom phenomenon, testify to this special place, which hides a fascinating historical story and the potential for dangerous incidents. So the next time you are in the area, remember: there is much to see in Israel, but it is always worth knowing the dangers along the way.
This area is very, very interesting and the article makes me want to go there.
Sheikha Rock That's what it's called. The interpretation is Sheikha Rock, and Sheikha is the name of a girl, not a Sheikh. It was a woman, not a man, who fished on that rock every day, so they called the rock after her name, Sheikha Rock.
Good for me. We learned something. Just health.
An interesting article that exposes readers to new and amazing information that we didn't know! The pictures are spectacular in their beauty, you can't stop looking, well done, dear Moti!
Shabbat Shalom, a beautiful exposure of an unknown corner of Hamed, a happy holiday to all of us and may we see everyone next to us on Independence Day.