Relics found within the city limits date from the Stone Age to the Ottoman period. During the Middle Ages, the Jewish settlement in Haifa grew into a shipping center. In the 12th century, the city was conquered by the Crusaders, in 1265 it fell to the Mamelukes, and in 1750 was captured by the Bedouin, Dahar al-Omar, who destroyed, then rebuilt and fortified it. From 1775 until World War 1, Haifa was under Turkish control with two interruptions - in 1799 it was conquered by Napoleon and from 1831-1840 it was under Egyptian rule.

Early in the 19th century, Jews from North Africa settled in Haifa. In 1868 German Templars established Haifa's German Colony and in 1879 European Jews settled in the city. In 1918, it was taken from the Turks by the British. With the beginning of the British evacuation in 1948, the Hagana took over the city. Throughout its history, Haifa has been a haven for religious minorities, some of which have established their centers there.

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