Khan Tankaz

Khan Tankiz is a part of the Cotton Merchants Market or Suq al-Qattanin, which was historically one of the busiest markets in the Old City of Jerusalem. This beautiful covered market runs through the Muslim Quarter connecting the main al-Wad Street to the Haram al-Sharif compound through the intricately designed Cotton Merchants Gate. The Cotton Merchants Market was originally built during the 14th century, under the supervision of Mamluk Emir Tankiz. At that time, the market was filled with shops selling cotton and cotton products, hence its name. People would come from all over the region to do business in the market and it earned the reputation of being the most beautiful market in all of Palestine. Aside from the over 50 shops that lined the streets, the market also boasted a khan - guesthouse, two hammams –Turkish baths, and many private residences on the upper floors. The roof of the market is vaulted, with square openings along the length allowing light to enter and providing ventilation. At the end of  the  market  street  is  the  impressive  Cotton  Merchants  Gate,  through  which worshippers could access the Haram al-Sharif. The gate was built around the same time as the market, also under the instruction of the Mamluk Emir Tankiz. The gate is an exquisite example of Mamluk design from the time period. It features the ablaq, meaning striped, stonework with alternating stripes of red and yellow as well as black and white stones. The arch of the gate is adorned with muqamas, which are stalactite- like ornamental design elements. The  market  continued  to  be  a  center  for  commerce  through  the  18th  and  19th centuries,  but the buildings  that  housed  the former  khan  and  hammams  fell  into disrepair  by  the  middle  of  the  20th  century.  However,  with  the  help  of  funding provided by the European Union and UNDP, Al Quds University recently undertook the task of restoring these historic buildings. Khan Tankiz, now fully restored, is the Al- Quds  University  Jerusalem  Studies  Center,  Hammam  el-Shifa  now  functions  as  a community center, and Hammam el-Ain has been restored as a public bathhouse once again, the oldest in Jerusalem. Visitors to the Old City can stroll through this historic market and admire the beautiful architecture and browse the wares of the many market stalls that line both sides of the street. Today, these products extend far beyond cotton. Shoppers can find everything from toys and clothing to jewelry and souvenirs. A visit to this bustling street is well worth it to take a glimpse into the commercial life of Jerusalem’s Old City that has existed in this space, largely unchanged, for centuries.