Hamza Bey Mosque restored and reopened in Thessaloniki

The Hamza Bey Mosque, widely known as the Alcazar, has been officially restored and reopened to the public in Thessaloniki. Following nearly four decades of being covered by scaffolding, the historic monument is being reintegrated into the city's urban fabric as a dedicated cultural space.

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni emphasized that the restoration marks a significant change for the area, complementing archaeological findings at the Venizelos metro station. The site will host cultural activities through a collaboration between the Museum of Contemporary Art Thessaloniki (MOMus) and the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Thessaloniki.

The reopening is inaugurated with a photography exhibition titled ‘Thessaloniki: The Imprint of Transition (1960-1980)’ by Pete Marifoglou. The mosque, which is the city's oldest Islamic place of worship following the conquest of 1430, will be open daily except for Mondays, offering free entry for the first two weeks.