Alcazar: Historic Hamza Bey Tomb reopens in Thessaloniki

The Hamza Bey Tomb, widely known in Thessaloniki as the ‘Alcazar’, has officially reopened to the public following a restoration process that lasted nearly two years. The 15th-century Ottoman monument had been obscured by scaffolding for approximately four decades.

During the handover ceremony, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated that the restoration ‘transforms’ the area, particularly when viewed alongside the archaeological findings at the Venizelos metro station. The site will now serve as a permanent exhibition space and cultural hub, managed by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Thessaloniki and the Metropolitan Organization of Visual Arts Museums (MOMus).

The venue is scheduled to host periodic exhibitions and high-quality cultural events. For the first two weeks of operation, entry will be free, after which a symbolic low-cost ticket will be implemented. The site is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00, and remains closed on Mondays.