The Carmelites
The Catholic religious order called the Carmelites was founded on Mount Carmel in the Twelfth Century.
The founder was a pilgrim or crusader and founded the site at what was once the location of Elijah’s cave. It is the highest natural point on the mountain range. Carmelite tradition believes that a community of Jewish hermits had once lived at the site until the Carmelites were founded there.
A Carmelite monastery was founded at the site and was dedicated to Mary. Louis IX of France once visited the monastery and the Carmelite order grew to be one of the largest Catholic orders throughout the world.