RAMLA

Ramla was the only town founded by the Moslems during their long rule in Palestine. It was built by Caliph Suleiman in the 8th century on what was a strategic site on the south-north route from Egypt to Syria and on the west-east route from Jaffa to Jerusalem. Nearby Lod, which had previously fulfilled this function, had been destroyed by the Arabs in 700 CE.

Ramla is also believed to have been the site of Arimathea, from where Joseph came seeking Jesus' body, from Pilate, for burial. The Crusaders camped here, as did Napoleon.

Today it is a city of between 40,000 and 45,000 people, many of whom are of North African origin.
As you enter Ramla, there is a memorial to 51 fighters of the IZL.

Sites

Church of St. Nicodemus and St. Joseph: just off main road, Rehov Herzl, in town centre. Easily recognisable by high bell tower. Built in 1902 over site of ancient hospice of same name where Napoleon set up staff headquarters in 1799. Supervised by Franciscan fathers. Stained-glass windows above altar donated by Spanish Government.

The White Tower: near junction of Rehov Herzl and Rehov Herzog. Thirty-metre-high minaret built in the 13th century by Sultan Beibars. Four faces adorned by arched windows. Climbed by Napoleon. At foot of tower are remains of Suleiman's 8th-century mosque and ruins of fountain and tombs. Stone steps lead to underground vaulted rooms, once part of mosque. Ruins at southern and eastern ends of compound are from mediaeval inn serving pilgrims to Jerusalem.
When you leave Ramla for Jerusalem on Road No. 424 you drive past settlements that formed the front line for two decades. One of them, Kfar Shmuel, is named in honour of the late American Zionist leader, Stephen S. Wise.A road on the right leads to Kibbutz Gezer. Three kilometres further another branches right to historic Tel Gezer. You may like to detour here for the 10-minute drive over a bumpy, secondary road.