Lod’s Tourist Potential

Lod has all the potential to become a tourist center in Israel, however the future of tourism and pilgrimage in Lod is not optimistic. The municipal government and the Ministry of Tourism must, I repeat, must cooperate and create the conditions for successful attractions in this city.  The target is urban regeneration based on partnerships between the different communities in Lod with an emphasis on the Arab-Jewish relations.

• The physical condition of the city is very poor.
• Road and sidewalk maintenance leave much to be desired.
• Vandalization is not repaired. See St. George Church for example, although the church itself is extraordinarily beautiful and very well maintained.
• Sites have no directional signs, markers, explanation for tourists. See Jindas Bridge for example. Some of the site appear to be abandoned. Most of the sites lack any development.

One of the problems of tourism in Lod is the fact that “Jesus never came here.” Saint Peter performed miracles in Lod and St. George is buried in the crypt of his church. The only Christian pilgrims who come to Lod are Russian Orthodox. If only Jesus had visited Lod things would have been different. Nonetheless Lod has a treasure of historical attractions, Christian, Muslim and Roman as well a the colorful Ramla-Lod Market every Tuesday. The potential is there.

Now that the Lod Mosaic has been returned to Israel, it is time plan tourism reform and fulfill Lod’s Tourist Potential for all the tourist sites in the city to be united in a single plan and presentation.

Jindas Bridge

A Mamluk bridge also know as the Baybars Bridge dating back to the 13th century stretching over Nachal Ayalon is still in use. The bridge is part of the Mamluk postal road (Tariq al Barid) project. The Jindas Bridge is one of the most Impressive ancient bridges in Israel. Despite its age it is the only bridge in the area to withstand the floods of 1992. There is only one other Mamluk bridge in Israel, the Jumping Bridge in Yavneh, which is no longer used.

 

 

St. George Church and Al-Khidr Mosque

Christian and Muslim neighbors

Khan el-Hilu

Ottoman caravanserai in Lod, adjacent to St. George Church and Al-Khidr Mosque

 

 

The Lod Mosaic

In 1996 the Lod Roman mosaic was discovered in 1996 during highway construction in Lod (formerly Lydda). A rescue excavation was immediately conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, revealing a series of mosaic floors measuring approximately 50 feet long by 27 feet wide. A museum to house this unique mosaic has yet to be constructed.

 

 

 

Hasuna Oil Press and Soap Factory

If reconstructed the press and factory could retell the history olive oil in Israel.