Tower of Ramleh (Palestine)

A gorgeous piece of history, now under Israeli occupation.   "Ramleh" signifies 'sand' and is a name of Arabic origin.  Ramleh is a very historic Arab city near Jerusalem.  It was founded between 705 and 715 AD by the Ommayad Caliph, Suleman Abdel Malik.   Though  allotted to the Arabs in 1947, it was snatched away by the Jews in the  1948 Arab-Jewish war.   Almost all of its Arab residents were  expelled in 1948 and subsequently repopulated by Ashkenazi Jewish  immigrants from Europe.  Ramleh is now completely under Israeli control.

The  Tower of Ramleh, about 120 feet high, is the most spectacular landmark  of this breathtaking ancient town. The Tower known by several names - White Mosque, White      Tower and Tomb of the Forty Companions  - is located on higher ground in the suburbs of the town of Ramleh.  It began being built by one of the Egyptian Caliphs in 1310 and was completed within eight years.

The tower now stands alone.  But it was attached to a mosque in the past known as the White Mosque constructed by the Ommayads in the 8th century.   According to traditions, forty companions of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) are buried in this Mosque. 

The architecture of Ramleh Tower is Saracenic, beautifully and delicately constructed, and supported by narrow buttresses.  A winding staircase lighted by uniquely shaped pointed windows leads to the top of the Tower and opens in a stone gallery. 

The gallery gives a beautiful view of orchards and olive groves, much of which have been demolished by Zionist authorities for purposes of colonization.  On the north and south of the Tower are endless plains with changing colors along with the different seasons;  with hills and mountains thronging the eastern and western parts, the Tower presents a picturesque scenery with a typical mesmerizing medieval touch.