A Roman mosaic measuring about 17 by 9 meters, historic buildings, and a tasting tour offer different ways to experience Lod. The Shelby White and Leon Levy Mosaic Museum focuses on archaeological heritage; in the Old Town, you’ll encounter buildings with varied historical connections. A tasting tour adds a culinary dimension. For planning your trip, you can therefore explore Lod through three interests: mosaic art, Old Town history, or culinary experiences.
Mosaics at the Shelby White and Leon Levy Mosaic Museum
The museum in Lod displays a Roman mosaic dating from the late 3rd or early 4th century AD. It is approximately 17 meters long and 9 meters wide. The museum itself covers 1,300 square meters. A public garden surrounds the building and forms part of the museum’s setting.
A separate, colorful Byzantine mosaic, about 1,700 years old, was also discovered in Lod. It is a different work from the Roman mosaic in the museum. The two mosaics date from different periods and offer two distinct points of interest for those interested in mosaic art.
The museum’s offerings include interactive educational and experiential activities, incorporated into individual and group visits for different age groups. Alongside viewing the mosaics, visitors can also explore the subject through interactive activities.
Building history in Lod’s Old Town
Khan Hilo lies in the center of the Old Town. It was in operation from the Mamluk period until the end of the British Mandate. Its long period of operation provides a different historical perspective from the architectural history of individual buildings.
The Al-Omari Mosque was built in the 13th century on the orders of the Mamluk sultan Baybars, partly on the site of the Crusader Church of St. George. The Mamluks had destroyed the church when they conquered Lod. The commission, the former church site, and its destruction are all part of the specific history of this place.
Beit HaKeshetot is a multi-phase structure made of local kurkar stone. Its intersecting arches rest on broad pillars. Here, the focus is on the material, the construction, and the building’s history across multiple phases.
A brief historical comparison helps put the different points of interest into perspective: Khan Hilo represents a long period of operation, the mosque a Mamluk commission, and Beit HaKeshetot a multi-phase structure.
Tours, puzzles, and tasting
The Lod Mosaic Center offers a guided tour of the historic Old Town. Stops include Khan al-Hilu, Beit HaKeshetot, St. George’s Church, and the Al-Omari Mosque. If you’d like to plan this tour, ask the Center directly for details and booking options.
Another activity at the Lod Mosaic Center is “Mosaic Race.” Participants move between stations, each with its own puzzle, discovering the secrets of the Lod mosaic along the way. Unlike the Old Town tour, this activity focuses on puzzles and moving from one challenge station to the next.
The tasting tour invites you to discover Lod through its culinary world and the city’s cultural and human dimensions. It lasts approximately two and a half hours and includes six different tastings, either parve or dairy. The approximate duration can help you plan your time; confirm current dates and arrangements directly with the provider.
For the broader travel overview: Ramla.
