The Perfume Market When Smell Talks

One of the most prominent landmarks of Jerusalem is its market. Most of the Old City’s shops are adjacent to the plaza of the al-Aqsa mosque.  The market and its various shops were established and expanded during different Islamic eras and remained until the Israeli occupation of the east side of city in 1967, when some of the shops were obliterated and replaced by the Jewish neighborhood.^[1]

The old city market is made up of  narrow streets and shops lining both sides of each street.. Some of the city’s residents live on top of the shops in apartments with dome ceilings.. The different sections of the market are split according to the products that are sold there. Because each group of shops in the same vicinity sell similar products, each section is named after the products that are sold in that section (Ie. the Spices Market, the Butchers’ Market, the Cotton Market, the Oil Market).^[2]

Suq al-Attarin

Suq al-Attarin is one of the oldest markets within the walls of the old city of Jerusalem, and features shops that sell spices and perfumes. It is located between the Oil Market and the Mats Market. The roofed alley over the cardo located inside the Muslim quarter in the old city liess parallel to Butchers’ Market (Suq al-Lahhamin) and Jewelry’ Market (Suq al-Khawajat). These three markets are often identified together as the Three Markets.^[3] 

Suq Al-Attarin has a vaulted roof covering the entire market and dates back to the Mamluk period, when its shopkeepers began  selling spices and medicinal herbs. The smell of incense and spices give it a unique charm. The market is covered with intermittently built domes, that allow for adequate ventilation and sunlight.The market used to be feature primarily Arab and Eastern spices, but now there are only three shops dedicated to perfumery, while the rest are varied.^[4]