Cotton Merchants' Market

The Cotton Merchant's Market () is a souk in the Old City of Jerusalem. The market primarily traded cotton during the Ottoman rule of Palestine, hence the name. The modern-day structure was commissioned in 1329 during the Mamluk period and completed in 1337, though artifacts dating back to the Crusader period can be found. The construction was commissioned by Tankiz; then governor of Mamluk Syria. See Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society

Name

Although the market historically traded cotton, in the 21st century, it pivoted to trading perfumes, religious items, and clothing. It is especially busy after prayers conclude. The name "Cotton Merchants' Market" has been in used since the 15th century, though some 13th century references to the market call it . It may be romanized as "al-Qattanin market". The word () means cotton merchant in Arabic.

Architecture

The market is an instance of Mamluk architecture. The alley is dimly lit, with 6 holes in the ceiling of the structure to allow sunlight in. A set of transverse arches are found along the length of the alley. The market street is continuously barrel vaulted.

Sites

Al-Shifa bathhouse: Al-Shifa bathhouse () is one of 2 bathhouses in the old city of Jerusalem. It was constructed in 1336 by Tankiz. Khan Tankiz: () is an inn found within the market, constructed in by Mamluk prince Tankiz. Since 1994, the inn has been used by Al-Quds University.

History

16th century chronicler Mujir al-Din mentioned an inscription crediting the markets renewal to Qalawun in .

Ottoman period

The cotton merchants market in Jerusalem was one of the few major cotton markets in Palestine during the 16th century.

Also in the 16th century, , then one of Jerusalem's principal commercial centers and part of the Haram al-Sharif endowment, underwent extensive restoration after decades of neglect dating back to the late Mamluk period. The market complex, which included a large courtyard, storage depots, and multi-story shops, was reportedly partially deserted by the time of the Ottoman conquest. Starting in 1544, repairs included the clearing accumulated waste, installing new doors and gates, among other structural improvements. Further renovations continued in subsequent decades, accompanied by commercial expansion; between 1564 and 1566, the number of shops at the market entrance was increased from 28 to 32. Contemporary records also indicate a 4-fold rise in rental income, reflecting increased trade activity in the market under Ottoman rule.

British Mandate

In 1937, the governor of Jerusalem, Ronald Storrs, wrote about the market's neglect under the Ottomans in his diary: [The suq] had degenerated through neglect into a public latrine. The shops were filled with ordure, the debris was sometimes lying five feet high, and the picturesque doors had been broken up for firewood by the Turks. We restored the vaults, roofing, and the walls of the Suq, put in looms, and by the close of the first year were employing, on a self-supporting basis, some seventy people.

The market was renovated under Storrs and British architect Charles Robert Ashbee, with help from the Pro-Jerusalem Society, which was founded by Storrs.

21st century

In 2024, during the Jerusalem Day march, Jewish Israelis stormed al-Aqsa Mosque through the market.

Gallery

Cotton Merchants' Market

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