Ramla: You are invited to tour the Renewing City with Attractions and Festivals

In which city can you sail a boat in a pool of water sunken among its houses and underground, climb a 700-year-old tower from which you can see the towers of Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, stroll through a colorful market, one of the largest in Israel, wander among churches, mosques, and synagogues? You are invited to experience the unique sites of Ramla, meet artists in the Old City, taste the menus of the city's famous restaurants as well as the flavors of the large covered market, all within less than twenty minutes' drive from Tel Aviv?

Ramla (also pronounced Ramle) is a city in the Shfela region of Israel, the capital of the Central District. As the district capital, it provides district services, administrative, educational, and even economic and industrial. To the north of the city are Lod, Nir Tzvi, and Tzrifin, to the south are the settlements of Matzliah and Yashresh, to the west are Ness Ziona, Beer Yaakov, and Netzer Sereni, and to the east are the moshavim of Ahisemech, Kfar Daniel, and Gimzo.

The city of Ramla was founded at the initiative of the ruler Suleiman Abd al-Malik at the beginning of the eighth century CE. The city was built on sand, hence its name Ramla (Raml = sand in Arabic). Ramla, which sits on the ancient road between Jaffa and Jerusalem, then served as the district capital, and Napoleon, Richard the Lionheart, and many others passed through it, built in the city, and continued on their way.

The "Ramla City of the World" 2025 festival

The "Ramla City of the World" 2025 festival will be held for the ninth year during the intermediate days of Sukkot, on October 8–9, at Ofer Park in Ramla. The festival, which in recent years has become one of the biggest attractions of the Sukkot holiday in Israel, offers a rich and diverse multicultural experience with dozens of performances, tours, exhibitions, and attractions for the whole family. Most of the events are free of charge or at a nominal price of up to only 30 ₪.

Main performances and musical stages: This year, the festival will host leading artists: Sasson Shaulov, Skazi, Avi Aburumi, Kevin Rubin, Ofek Adank, and more. Performances by Yuval Hamebulbal, David Haim, Nir Benlosh, the Like Queen band, Mia Suleiman, and other internet stars await children and families. The "Firqat Al-Nour" orchestra, which combines Jewish and Arab musicians, will perform in the mayor's sukkah and provide an exceptional musical experience.

A cultural experience for the whole family: As part of the festival, a colorful multicultural parade will take place with the participation of dance troupes and orchestras from the city and throughout the country, alongside street performances, plays, and living statues in the city center and the White Tower square. An intimate music performance will take place in the Arches Pool, and at the "Hall of Culture," the musical play "And You Shall Love" by the Ramla Theater will be staged, combining piyyutim and stories from the Jewish tradition. In addition, plays and performances by the communities that make up the cultural mosaic of Ramla will be staged – including performances in Russian, musical creation from North Africa, content from Arab culture, etc. – all of which express the diversity and cultural richness of the city.

Attractions and activities for children and youth: Teenagers and children will enjoy a variety of activity complexes, including a huge amusement park, inflatable complexes, extreme facilities, a unique aqua complex with water and sports attractions, a gymboree for toddlers, and fair stands. Throughout the festival days, live performances by the best children's stars will take place, as well as processions and street performances.

Tourism and culinary: Festival visitors are invited to combine visits to Ramla's historical sites: the White Tower, the Arches Pool, the renovated Ramla Museum, the Truck Museum, the Franciscan Monastery and Church, the World Karaite Jewish Center, and more. Guided bus tours will depart every hour from the White Tower square and will allow exposure to the city's historical and cultural wealth. In addition, the authentic market and the city's restaurants will offer a diverse culinary experience – from fricasse and Turkish burekas to malabi, dishes from Indian, Iraqi, and Arab cuisine.

Michael Vidal, the Mayor: "We are happy and excited to celebrate nine years of the 'Ramla City of the World' festival. This year too, most of the events are free or up to only 30 ₪. I invite all residents of Israel to come to Ramla, enjoy musical performances, family-friendly activities, workshops, and exhibitions, and discover our unique city – a city of history, culture, and diversity like no other in Israel."

The 'Ramla City of the World' 2025 festival kicks off, 8-9.10.25 intermediate days of Sukkot, Ofer Park, Ramla.

More details and ticket purchase www.ramle.org.il | Telephone: 08-9216873

Photograph = Ramla History Museum reopens. Photo courtesy of the Ramla Municipality

The Ramla History Museum has reopened

The museum, located in a historic building built in 1922, served as the Ramla Municipality building during the British Mandate and has recently undergone a comprehensive upgrade process with an investment of 5 million ₪. After massive renovation, the Ramla Museum reopened. The museum tells the story of the city of Ramla from its establishment as the capital of the country to the present day. Combining modern display technologies, the renovated museum sheds light on the city's glorious past.

A collection of gold coins, one of the largest in Israel, is on display in the museum. A spectacular attraction for the whole family. One of the largest and most impressive found in the country, including 376 gold coins and six gold ingots discovered in Ramla in 1964. The coins, which were minted in various cities around the world, provide a fascinating glimpse into Ramla's past, which served as both the capital of the country and an important commercial center in the Middle Ages.

The museum has diverse displays that tell the story of Ramla from its founding in the eighth century to the present day. Four display halls illuminate the daily life, commerce, art, and unique cultural fabric of the city. Among the exhibits: rare items from archaeological excavations, including storage, cooking, and serving utensils, alongside items indicating the industries and crafts that flourished in the city over the years, and of course the large and rare collection of gold coins.

The Arches Pool

The Arches Pool in Ramla, one of the most unique pools in the country, and one of eight found to date throughout the city, has recently undergone a facelift with an investment of 5.5 million ₪. A new visitor center has opened at the entrance to the pool, including a coffee shop, where performances for the whole family will be held during the intermediate days of Sukkot and in the future films and plays for the whole family will be screened. Today you can sail in the pool in a small boat. Suitable for adults and children.

The pool was built as an underground water reservoir that supplied water to the city of Ramla in 789 CE, during the Abbasid period. The water to the pool used to come from springs around Tel Gezer. The Arches Pool is known in Israeli film history as it was once used as one of the filming locations for the film "Hasamba and the Street Urchins." In the film, the secret gang was seen fleeing on boats into a large and magical space, which is the Arches Pool.

About Ramla sites: https://www.goramla.com

For more details:

or 08-9292650 www.ramle.org.il

Photograph = The Arches Pool in Ramla. Photo courtesy of the Ramla Municipality