Hamza Bei Mosque – Alkazar (Χαμζά Μπέι Τζαμί – Αλκαζάρ)

Built in 1467-68, Hamza Bei is the oldest mosque of Thessaloniki. It was built by Hafsa Hatum, daughter of the military commander Hamza Bei, who named the Mosque after her father. During the 16th century an asymmetrical archade was built around the mosque and it is the only one of its style in Greece. In 1620 it was rebuilt by Kapi Mehmet Bei after an earthquake or fire. Most people in Thessaloniki know Hamza Bei Mosque as Alkazar. Alkazar was a cinema that was operating for many years in the garden of the Mosque. Today one more rebuilds is taking place in order to become a museum that will the ancient findings that reveals the construction of Thessaloniki’s underground.