hilltop in the Latrun Salient in the Ayalon Valley
Latrun is a hilltop in Shfelah overlooking the road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, 25 kilometers west of Jerusalem. The hill is home to several sights.
The name Latrun is derived from a medieval Crusader castle which was located at the hill. During the 1948 ArabโIsraeli War the hilltop and surrounding areas was the site of several major battles. Due to its significance, the official memorial site for fallen soldiers from the armored corps is located at Latrun.
Dotted around Latrun are several small villages and kibbutzes, most notably Neve Shalom. Known as Wฤฤงat as-Salฤm in Arabic the village was jointly founded by Israeli Jews and Arabs and offers opportunities for educational work.
The national trail which runs Israel's full length north to south passes by Latrun.
