Machon Ayalon, Underground ammunition museum in Rehovot, Israel
Machon Ayalon is a concealed factory situated 8 meters (26 feet) below ground, accessed through a hidden entrance within a former laundry building. The underground chambers display the production equipment and workspaces that were used for ammunition manufacturing.
The factory operated between 1945 and 1948, producing over two million cartridges for Jewish forces under British Mandate oversight. This clandestine operation played a vital role in weapons production during this critical period.
The site tells the story of young workers who labored in complete secrecy to support their vision of independence.
Visitors should call ahead to reserve a place on a guided tour, as capacity is limited. The site is easy to reach and offers regular tours that show the hidden factory and explain how it operated.
A striking detail is that workers used UV lamps to darken their skin and maintain their cover as agricultural laborers. This trick helped them appear as if they worked in daylight, while actually operating in complete darkness below ground.
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