Lod is a small city in central Israel, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The city's name is pronounced like the English word "load". Some locals will pronounce it like "lude".
Lod has a long history, and is mentioned briefly in the Bible. Today it has a mixed Arab and Jewish population of 72,000 people.
Lod is best known for its proximity to Ben Gurion International Airport , previously known as Lod Airport. Lod, in the past, was also known to Israelis as being run-down and crime-ridden, and the old central city was quite dilapidated. Nevertheless, Lod is prospering and the crime percentages are significantly lower thanks to the police in the city. Thus, visitors will be safe in the city and will enjoy to see the harmony between the Jewish and the Arab population.
- Baybars Bridge. A bridge built by the Sultan Baybars in the year 1273. It is still used for road traffic. On either side of the bridge, there are beautiful Arabic inscriptions and carvings of lions. Just north of the bridge, a dirt track branches off from the road - the bridge carvings are best seen from this track.
- Hilo Khan. A travelers' lodge dating to the Mamluk period. It forms a large stone square: animals were left in the central courtyard, and people slept in buildings around the edge. The building is in bad condition, but some work has been done on restoring it. Be careful around the ruins, they are prone to collapse. The gate at the entrance is made of nicely carved stone.
- Lod mosaic. Several stunning mosaics were found here, part of a bathhouse built in the Byzantine period. The site is in the midst of excavation/construction, and eventually a museum will be built on the site to display the mosaics. As of September 2016, the site is surrounded by a construction fence, but if you peek through the gaps or over the top, you can see some of the mosaics (from a bad angle). (It is possible they will be covered up in winter to protect them from rain)
- Museum of Jewish Heritage in Israel, 20 Sderot Hamelech David, +972 8 924-4569. A little-known but recommended museum with a large collection of exhibits from Jewish diaspora communities. Each room is full of artifacts from a different diaspora community - Tunisia, India, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, and others. Call before arriving, as there are some doubts whether the museum is still open on a regular basis.
- Well of Peace. A well on the ancient road which passed through Lod (now a main modern road). The current building atop the well likely dates to the Mameluk period. It is a square stone building, with a dome atop, and interesting designs at the top of the walls. In past centuries, people would camp here, tie up their animals, and stay for the night. The social atmosphere between them may be what led to the name "Well of Peace".
Baybars Bridge. A bridge built by the Sultan Baybars in the year 1273. It is still used for road traffic. On either side of the bridge, there are beautiful Arabic inscriptions and carvings of lions. Just north of the bridge, a dirt track branches off from the road - the bridge carvings are best seen from this track.
Hilo Khan. A travelers' lodge dating to the Mamluk period. It forms a large stone square: animals were left in the central courtyard, and people slept in buildings around the edge. The building is in bad condition, but some work has been done on restoring it. Be careful around the ruins, they are prone to collapse. The gate at the entrance is made of nicely carved stone.
Lod mosaic. Several stunning mosaics were found here, part of a bathhouse built in the Byzantine period. The site is in the midst of excavation/construction, and eventually a museum will be built on the site to display the mosaics. As of September 2016, the site is surrounded by a construction fence, but if you peek through the gaps or over the top, you can see some of the mosaics (from a bad angle). (It is possible they will be covered up in winter to protect them from rain)
Museum of Jewish Heritage in Israel, 20 Sderot Hamelech David, +972 8 924-4569. A little-known but recommended museum with a large collection of exhibits from Jewish diaspora communities. Each room is full of artifacts from a different diaspora community - Tunisia, India, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, and others. Call before arriving, as there are some doubts whether the museum is still open on a regular basis.
Well of Peace. A well on the ancient road which passed through Lod (now a main modern road). The current building atop the well likely dates to the Mameluk period. It is a square stone building, with a dome atop, and interesting designs at the top of the walls. In past centuries, people would camp here, tie up their animals, and stay for the night. The social atmosphere between them may be what led to the name "Well of Peace".
- Liz Bakery
- Lod Mall
- Burgerim
- Pizza Dominos
- Ramla is a similar city bordering Lod. Sometimes they are together referred to as "Ramlod".