Muristan and Aftimos Markets, Jerusalem

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Christian Quarter is the Muristan Market. The area of Muristan (from Persian Bimārestān meaning "hospital") is a complex of streets and shops located between three churches, namely – the Church of Holy Sepulchre (Sepulcher), the Hospitallers' Church of St. John the Baptist, and the German church of the Redeemer. Back in the day, the area held the first hospital of the Knights Hospitaller, hence the name.

Today, the Muristan represents a cross-section of streets packed with outdoor cafes and other eateries, stores selling souvenirs and other crafts, as well as hostels and hotels – all geared towards tourists and Christian pilgrims.

In 1903, the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem built a market (suq) in the western side of the area previously occupied by ruins of the Santa Maria Maggiore church, and called it Aftimos (Avtimos) after Euthymius, the 19th-century sacristan (door keeper) of the All Holy Church of the Resurrection in the Holy Sepulcher, who oversaw development projects in the Christian sector. The latter person, in turn, was named after Saint Euthymius "the Great" (377-473 AD), a monk who lived in the Dead Sea area. The name Euthymius translates as a "good cheer", so the Avtimos market, with a good degree of certainty, can be taken as a "good cheer market". The market comprises 70 stores and is dominated by a grand fountain in the center built in 1903 in commemoration of the Sultan Abed al-Hamid II (1876–1909) 25th reign anniversary.