Alaca Imaret Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The Alaca Imaret Mosque is a limestone structure with two large domes covering the prayer hall and five smaller domes adorning the front portico. The layout includes multiple connected spaces designed for both worship and community services.
The building was constructed between 1484 and 1487 under orders from Ishak Pasha during Ottoman rule in the city. After Thessaloniki became part of Greece in 1912, the original minaret was removed from the structure.
The building functioned as a place of worship while also providing meals to those in need through an attached public kitchen. Visitors can still sense how religious and charitable activities were woven together in daily life.
The site is located in central Thessaloniki and is easy to access by foot. Today it operates as a venue for rotating exhibitions and cultural events, so visitors should check ahead to see what activities might be happening.
The name Alaca comes from colored stones arranged in diamond patterns that once decorated the original minaret. This colorful pattern made the structure distinctive in the city and is a feature that visitors can no longer observe.
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