Islamic cities were characterized by the presence of public baths near markets and mosques, where they were needed either for purification purposes before prayer or to serve the surrounding community. The bath lies a few meters below the market level and this helped the flow of water into it.

Hammam al-Ayn functioned during Ottoman times as a health center and as a bath until the early seventies of the twentieth century. In 1998, al-Quds University renovated the archaeological site to revive it through the implementation of cultural, artistic and academic programs. This maintained it as an important part of the fabric and heritage of Jerusalem>s Old City. Every day dozens of visitors, both Palestinian and foreign, visit the site to participate in various activities. West Bank school students come to learn about the most important features of religious and historical Jerusalem via the « Ya Ma kan Ya Quds» program established by the Center for Jerusalem Studies in order to raise the awareness of an entire generation of children in the West Bank of their capital, its historic buildings and ancient heritage.

Finally, one can say that there is reason for optimism as the Center for Jerusalem Studies \ al-Quds University, was able to attract funds to renovate the whole Khan Tankaz site. In the near future folk will be using the two public baths that will be functioning with hot steam coming out of them. People from inside and outside the City will come to enjoy the splendor of their aura. They will experience massages to rid their bodies of life>s fatigue and concerns. Until the completion of this project both Hammams will continue to host artists and musicians, who are enchanted by their beauty, as exhibit venues and researchers who have long sought to collect information about this charming Mamluk heritage in Jerusalem.

{gallery}/Hammam_AlAyn{/gallery}