Ramla between the White Tower and Old City history

The White Tower, the Ramla Museum and the Pool of Arches each tell a different part of Ramla’s history. In the Old City, churches, mosques and an Ottoman bathhouse add to the story; the market and gardens offer another perspective on the city. You can tailor your visit to the subjects that interest you most: architectural history, collections or life at the market.

Museum and city history

The Ramla Museum traces the city’s history from its founding in the 8th century AD to the present day. Its permanent exhibition is spread across six rooms. It features finds from daily life, trade and art; the multicultural ethnic makeup of the population is also explored. The exhibition presents different aspects of the city’s history side by side, from everyday objects to cultural traditions.

A notable find in the exhibition consists of 376 gold coins and six gold bars. The treasure was discovered in 1964 near the White Tower complex.

The White Tower and waterworks

The White Tower complex is located in the center of old Ramla and dates from the period when the city flourished. The tower is 30 meters high. From its top, the panoramic view stretches from the Mediterranean coast in the west, including Tel Aviv, to the foothills of the Judean Mountains and Samaria in the east.

In the area of the White Tower, between the square tower and the remains of the White Mosque, there are three underground, dry water reservoirs. Together, they hold about 6,400 cubic meters. The aqueduct to Ramla is also part of the city’s water-supply history: it carried water from springs to the city’s reservoirs. The Gezer aqueduct to Ramla is classified as an Arab water channel dating from the 8th to 10th centuries AD.

The Pool of Arches was built in 789 AD. Rowboats are available there for adults and children. The pool is listed as open Sunday through Thursday, 08:00 to 16:00; in July and August, it is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 08:00 to 18:00. On Fridays and the eves of holidays, hours are 08:00 to 14:00; on Shabbat and holidays, 08:00 to 16:00. Check visiting hours before your trip.

Religious buildings and historic sites

The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George is in the heart of the Old City. It is said to have been built in the 9th century AD at the behest of the Byzantine Empress Irene. The Great Mosque of Ramla is one of the few Crusader-era buildings in Israel to have been preserved almost completely.

The Radwan Hammam is an Ottoman-era bathhouse in the center of the Old City. It is fenced off, but the central pool can be seen through openings. The Franciscan monastery was established in 1396 by the Terra Santa organization and served pilgrims traveling from Jaffa to Jerusalem. The Small Mosque of Ramla is located on the street where the Franciscan monastery stands.

The grounds of the British police complex house a museum about the site’s history. Admission must be arranged in advance. The objects on display include a British post box and a police car from the 1970s. The museum also includes a basement that the British, and, until not so long ago, the State of Israel used to burn documents.

Market, garden and other discoveries

Ramla’s bazaar has been in existence for well over a hundred years. The market offers spices that are not available in ordinary supermarkets; fresh lemonade is available at the Limonero stand. Products and stalls may change. The Old City also has a separate arts and crafts market, held on the first Shabbat of each Gregorian month from 10:00 to 15:00. Artisans display and sell their work there. Check the date before your visit.

The President’s Garden has a classic British design and is shaped like a cross. It was named after Chaim Weizmann, Israel’s first president. The British Military Cemetery is also part of the city’s history: it is one of six British burial grounds established in Israel after the First World War.

The Karaite synagogue is located on Joseph Klausner Street. The Karaite tradition is based on three principles: the written Torah, analogy and the continuation of tradition.

Discover more destinations: Lod, HaSharon, Rehovot, Ramla.

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