Deir Al-Mukhraqa Carmelite Monastery - Israel

Deir Al-Mukhraqa Carmelite Monastery on Mount Carmel in Northern Israel, next to the Mediterranean Sea. Israel Inside Out says: "Perched high on the eastern wooded peak of Mt. Carmel, the Carmelite Monastery of the Mukhraqa offers stunning views of northern Israel and beyond from its roof top lookout. Located southeast of Haifa on the same mountain range, the monastery was built in 1868 and belongs to the Catholic order of Barefoot Carmelites. The Mukhraqa is dedicated to the site where the Prophet Elijah competed with 450 priests of Baal sent by King Ahab and then slew them. In the courtyard in front of the monastery is a statue of Elijah, sword raised over his head as he stands over the bearded figure of a priest of Baal. The name Mukhraqa means burnt or scorched in Arabic, in reference to the way in which, according Kings 1, 18, the Prophet Elijah’s offering was consumed – it was soaking wet and everything was consumed including the alter, earth and all by a fire sent from heaven."