Tower of Ramla, aka White Tower, Ramle, Israel
Ramle is not usually on the tourist route – and tourists are missing a key town located at the crossroads between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. A town with a mixed Jewish and Arab population, the town is over 1200 years old, founded by Umayyad Caliph Suleiman after the Arab conquest of the region. Lying along the route between Jaffa, Jerusalem, Cairo and Damascus, Ramle was a key trading center and transportation route over the centuries.
During his travels in the region, Benjamin of Metudela visited Ramle in the mid 1100′s.
In the 1300s, Franciscan monks established a presence in the city – as evidenced by the large Franciscan church in the old part of the town.
In fact, Napoleon Bonaparte slept at the Franciscan hospice in Ramle during his unsuccessful attempt to conquer Palestine in 1799.
Rowing in underground cisterns, Ramle, Israel
Rowing in an underground cistern? Yes, the Pool of Arches, also known as St. Helen’s Pool was built over 1200 years ago to ensure a supply of water to residents. Recently renovated, you can tour the cisterns by row boat!
The doors are open and you are welcome to visit the commnity of the Sisters of Bethlehem, located on Rte 38, just past Beit Shemesh.
