Old City of Ramla, Medieval heritage site in Ramla, Israel

The Old City of Ramla is an ancient town center featuring the White Tower, the Pool of Arches, and remains of a large mosque from different periods. These structures stand close together within a compact historic quarter that visitors can explore on foot.

Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, governor of Jund Filastin, began building Ramla around 710; sources cite 716 as its founding, though he was already in the town when his brother Caliph al-Walid died in 715. Sulayman first built his palace and a dyeing house, then wells and a mosque he left unfinished on becoming caliph. The Crusaders took Ramla in 1099 and called it Rames.

The 9th-century geographer al-Muqaddasi praised Ramla's markets for their juicy fruits and bread dough, and noted the town had four markets selling onions, cotton, vegetables, wheat and wood. Sulayman's first buildings included a dye house (Dar al-Sabbaghin), apparently inhabited by Jews, with a rainwater cistern at its centre.

You can explore the underground water cistern system, climb the White Tower for views across town, and visit more than 20 historical structures all within walking distance. Early morning or late afternoon visits work best, as the narrow streets become very hot during summer midday hours.

The 8th century Pool of Arches contains rows of stone pillars that create mirror reflections in the water, producing an unusual visual effect. Small boats carry visitors through the stone chambers, an experience rarely found in other ancient towns.