Alaca Imaret Mosque, Thessaloniki

The Alaca Imaret Mosque is one of Thessaloniki’s earliest surviving Ottoman monuments, founded in February 1484 by İshak Paşa, son of İnegöl. An inscription above the main entrance records its foundation and marks the ceremonial threshold of what was once a major charitable complex.

Before entering, pause at the entrance portico. Its colonnade supports five small domes, a clear signal of early Ottoman design. This portico once welcomed worshipers, students, travelers, and those seeking food from the imaret, or public soup kitchen, which operated alongside spaces for religious instruction.

Inside, stand near the central axis. The building follows an inverted T-plan, typical of early Ottoman architecture. The central domed space ahead was used for prayer, while the side chambers once served teaching, lodging, and communal meals. Look upward: a large arch divides the interior into two square bays, each crowned by a dome, creating a balanced and inward-focused spatial rhythm.

Although the original painted decoration and Qur’anic inscriptions are largely lost, the structure still conveys its intended hierarchy. The name “Alaca Imaret,” meaning “variegated,” refers to the colorful stone decoration that once adorned the minaret. Step outside to find its base, the only surviving remnant after the minaret was dismantled following the city’s incorporation into the Greek state in 1912.

As you circle the exterior, notice variations in masonry from later repairs. After falling into disuse, the building suffered damage, including the collapse of part of the portico. Stabilization began in 1970, followed by major restoration between 1993 and 1996.

Today, the Alaca Imaret functions as an exhibition and cultural space, allowing visitors to experience its architecture directly, free from later furnishings or religious fittings.