Visiting the Alaja Imaret – Thessaloniki’s 15th C Mosque

The Alaja Imaret is one of Thessaloniki’s most glorious secret sights.

Off a shabby street above Agios Dimitrios that most visitors never find is one of Thessaloniki’s most mysterious and beautiful monuments. Even if you were looking for it, it feels like you stumble on the Alaja Imaret by accident, tucked in a courtyard between some apartment buildings from the 1960’s. When you find it, you’ll wonder why you took the trouble. It’s large, with a long porch across the front. The facade is crumbling, the columns look bare. It’s dirty.

That’s what makes the Alaja Imaret such a wonderful secret. Exploring treasures from Thessaloniki’s Ottoman heritage is an interesting part of the Thessaloniki experience.

Related post: Best Things to Do in Thessaloniki – Sights, Activities, and Cultural Experiences

Alaja Imaret

This is the one of the most magnificent and mysterious of the many sights of the Old Town of Thessaloniki. Nothing distinguishes it from a church on the outside at first glance. But there is no cross. Through the layers of dust, in time you spot something more exotic- a muqarnas. Above the door is an ornate stalactite vault. The door itself is small, weathered. It makes you curious to go in.

Alaja Imaret- corner of dome
Arabesques and tromp l’oeil features, Alaja Imaret

The Interior of the Imaret

It’s a fantastic surprise. The height of the domes. Then, the painting. There are ornate arabesques. There is tromp l’oeil drapery, and framed “views” of long forgotten forests. Patches along the walls are inscribed in Arabic calligraphy.

Calligraphy on the walls of the Alaja Imaret

The Alaja Imaret in the Past

The name Alaja comes from the multi-colored stones that decorated the minaret that once was here. An Imaret is a House of Charity. The mosque also gave shelter and food. Many Christian churches were repurposed as mosques, so there were relatively few mosques built during the Ottoman period. This was one, built in 1487 by Ishak Pasha.

Alaja Imaret

The Alaja Imaret in the Present

The Alaja Imaret is under the joint auspice of the Ministry of Culture and the Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki, who make excellent use of the space. Exhibitions in the space often take unique advantage of the aesthetic, spiritual, and historical setting. One in particular- Techniques of the Body (Constantine Giannaris and Mark Mazower)- encompassed aspects of the immigrant experience. The Imaret’s walls presented a moving physical context. It also continues to have spiritual relevance- although this is no longer a mosque, it’s visited with reverence by many Muslim travelers.

Alaja Imaret-  Above Kassandrou, between Sofokleous and Agiou Nikolaou Streets (just up from Agiou Dimitriou Church)

Tuesdays – Saturdays, 11:00 – 18:00

(+30) 2310 278 587

Amber Charmei
Amber Charmeihttps://thessalonikilocal.com
Hi, I'm Amber Charmei - I left Manhattan, my hometown, about 20 years ago to live in a city with a much longer backstory and a prime location in the Mediterranean. Thessaloniki is is one of my favorite cities in Europe. Roman ruins, Byzantine glories, Belle-Époque mansions, and plenty of mid-century style set a compelling urban stage for contemporary life. Thessaloniki's multi-cultural heritage gives it an international quality, a zesty cuisine, and a peerless nightlife. I love the museums and the beaches, the Rebetiko and the chaotic public markets, and everything else. Thanks for stopping by - I hope I can help you discover what you're looking for, and fall a little in love with the city, too.

From The Same Categories

Hagia Sophia Thessaloniki – History and Architecture

Hagia Sophia Thessaloniki - the Church of Holy Wisdom - is...

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

You Should Also Read

The Best Hotel in Thessaloniki – Top 5 Picks in the City Center

Thessaloniki offers many excellent hotels and rooms for a...

Vourvourou Beach – Sithonia, Halkidiki

Vourvourou Beach is in the center of the dreamiest...

Halkidiki Travel Guide – Where to Stay and Things to Do

Halkidiki, Greece, is the most popular beach and resort...

Stay in touch!

Follow our Instagram