Thessaloniki’s historic Hamza Bey Mosque, commonly known as the Alkazar, is set to be handed over to the city early next year, according to Culture Minister Lina Mendoni during an inspection of the ongoing restoration work, ekathimerini.com has reported.
The €11 million restoration project is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund and is being carried out by the Ministry of Culture’s Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments Restoration Department in collaboration with Thessaloniki’s antiquities ephorate.
Due to extensive wear, modifications, and past interventions, the restoration of this significant monument, the oldest Ottoman mosque in Thessaloniki, presents a complex and demanding challenge.
“Over the past six years, we have implemented projects and initiatives in Thessaloniki totaling more than €100 million from EU and national funds. This reflects our commitment to preserving the city’s rich heritage,” Mendoni stated.
Built in 1467 by Hafse Hatun, daughter of military commander Hamza Bey, the mosque is situated at the intersection of Egnatia and Venizelou streets. For decades, its peristyle courtyard was home to the Alkazar cinema, a name still deeply embedded in the city’s collective memory.
The mosque was officially designated as a historical and archaeological monument in 1926.
Source: ekathimerini.com
