Why Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut
Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, commonly referred to simply as Modi'in, is a planned city located in the Central District of Israel. Situated roughly 35 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv and 30 kilometers west of Jerusalem, it serves as a modern regional center linked to both metropolises by major thoroughfares, including Highway 443, Highway 431, and Highway 3. The current municipality was created through the merging of three residential areas: Maccabim, Re'ut, and the newer town of Modi'in.
The city derives its identity from the ancient Jewish town of Modi'in, renowned as the birthplace of the Maccabees. These rebel leaders successfully fought against Seleucid rule to form the Hasmonean dynasty, an event commemorated annually during the holiday of Hanukkah. The surrounding countryside contains significant archaeological vestiges documenting this past, such as rock-cut hiding complexes from ancient revolts and buried hoards of silver coins minted during the Seleucid era.
Several preserved historical sites sit directly within the city's modern layout. At Horbat Tittora, archaeological excavations have uncovered continuous layers of settlement extending from the Chalcolithic era through the Ottoman period, including the ruins of a medieval Crusader castle complete with ancient kitchenware and personal jewelry. Nearby, the hilltop site of Umm el-Umdan highlights a rural settlement with a Hasmonean-era synagogue and a first-century ritual bath.
Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, modern Modi'in features contemporary urban planning that incorporates expansive green spaces, which make up roughly half of the city's total footprint. Neighborhoods are systematically arranged around specific naming themes; for instance, HaShvatim features streets named after Israel's historical tribes, HaPrachim centers on botanical names, and HaNevi'im reflects the names of biblical prophets. Main traffic corridors are built with central green belts housing neighborhood parks, walking trails, and local facilities.
At the focal point of the city center, a large commercial and recreational district accommodates the Azrieli Modi'in Mall and Anava Park, where visitors can view a small artificial lake used for boating. The area is highly accessible, featuring an underground central train station as well as a secondary western stop, Paatei Modi'in, offering direct rail connections to Tel Aviv.
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