Ghajn Hammiem in the outskirts of Mdina is a 17^th century wash house of Arab origin. But while locals today still think that this fountain's name directly translates to Fountain of Pigeons, in actual fact, its Arabic origin would indicate that it was the site of a Turkish bath (Hammam).

This wash house has large and deep troughs, and served the populations of both Rabat and Mdina for centuries. Its façade is characterised by three arches that are adorned with three coats of arms all centrally positioned above every arch. Unfortunately, the arches were defaced during the French occupation, but traces of the traditional red and yellow paintwork still remain.

Local organisation Temple Rescue recently visited the site and noticed “5-inch cracks on the inside and outside of the building,” warning that “the gates were wide open and there was no indication that it would have been dangerous.”

“The drainage was inadequate for the natural spring. The outflow drain has been blocked for a while, and as a result, water is seeping into the ground and weakening the foundation of the whole structure,” they continue.

Plans to restore the wash house are supposedly in the works, but they've been ongoing for 10 years, so perhaps it's time to speed up the process!