Discover Ramla: Old City, History and Waterworks
Accommodation in Ramla
Ramla combines urban history with impressive waterworks and a lively market. The Ramla Museum traces the city’s development from its founding in the 8th century AD to the present day. The White Tower, Pool of Arches and buildings in the Old City each add their own distinctive character. Families can also enjoy a special experience together: rowboats are available on the Pool of Arches for adults and children to use.
City History at the Museum and White Tower
The permanent exhibition at the Ramla Museum is spread across six rooms. It showcases finds from everyday life, trade and the arts, while also exploring the population’s multicultural ethnic composition. One remarkable exhibit is a treasure find comprising 376 gold coins and six gold bars. It was discovered in 1964 near the White Tower complex.
The White Tower stands in the center of old Ramla and is 30 meters tall. From its summit, panoramic views stretch west to the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv, and east to the foothills of the Judean Mountains and Samaria. The complex dates from the period when Ramla flourished. Three underground, dry water reservoirs lie between the square tower and the remains of the White Mosque. Their total capacity is about 6,400 cubic meters.
Waterworks, Boats and Opening Hours
Another waterworks site is the Pool of Arches, built in 789 AD. Rowboats are part of the visitor experience here and can be used by adults and children. Visiting hours are as follows: Sunday to Thursday, 08:00 to 16:00; in July and August, Wednesday and Thursday, 08:00 to 18:00; Fridays and the eves of holidays, 08:00 to 14:00; and Shabbat and holidays, 08:00 to 16:00.
The Gezer water aqueduct to Ramla also tells the story of the city’s water supply: the Arab water channel is dated to between the 8th and 10th centuries AD and carried water from springs to the city’s reservoirs. Together, Ramla’s structures show different aspects of the city’s history, from water supply to large storage facilities.
Old City, Religious Buildings and Historical Traces
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Georgios lies in the heart of the Old City. It is said to have been built in the 9th century AD on the orders of the Byzantine Empress Irene. Ramla’s Great Mosque is one of the few Crusader buildings in Israel to have survived almost completely intact. The Radwan Hammam, a bathhouse from the Ottoman period, is also located in the center of the Old City. It is enclosed by a fence, and the central pool can be viewed through openings.
Further historical connections tell of Ramla’s role on pilgrimage routes and across different eras. The Franciscan organization Terra Santa established a monastery here in 1396 to serve pilgrims traveling from Jaffa to Jerusalem. The Little Mosque is on the street where the Franciscan monastery is located. The British Military Cemetery in Ramla is one of six British burial grounds established in Israel after the First World War. At the President’s Garden, design and remembrance come together: the garden is laid out in a classic British style, shaped like a cross and named after Chaim Weizmann, Israel’s first president.
The grounds of the British police complex house a museum about the site’s history. The objects described there include a British mailbox and a police car from the 1970s. There is also a basement that the British, and until not so long ago the State of Israel, used to burn documents.
Market Life and More to Discover
Ramla’s bazaar has been around for well over a hundred years. The market offers spices that are not available in ordinary supermarkets; Limonero’s stall sells fresh lemonade. An arts and crafts market is also held in the Old City on the first Shabbat of each Gregorian calendar month, from 10:00 to 15:00. Artisans showcase and sell their work there. This offers another way to get to know Ramla, beyond its buildings, through its trade and crafts.
Those interested in the Karaite tradition will find the synagogue on Joseph Klausner Street. The tradition is based on three foundations: the written Torah, analogy and the continuation of tradition. The Ramla Visitor Center accepts reservations for guided tours and visits to attractions. Lod is also listed as another place in this overview.
For the broader travel overview: Center District.
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