Stepping back in time in Akko

A new subterranean section in the picturesque Mediterranean walled port of Akko will soon be open to the public. In the Crusader neighborhood, one wall has a coat of arms -- said to be graffiti left by a medieval traveler, on the main cobblestone street nearby are a row of shops that once sold souvenirs to pilgrims. The section was last used by residents in 1291 the year a Muslim army from Egypt defeated Akko's Christian garrison. The ancient port city has existed for at least 4,500 years, but reached the height of its importance with the Crusader conquest in 1104. In 2001, Akko became Israel's first UNESCO World Heritage site. But whether because of its out-of-the-way location in the country's north or simply because it must compete with better-known sites like Jerusalem and the desert fortress of Masada, Akko has been overshadowed.