Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar”

Ξεναγήσεις στο Τέμενος Χαμζά Μπέη «Αλκαζάρ»

dimitra.samsaki — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 13:26:46 +0000

Ξεναγήσεις στο Τέμενος Χαμζά Μπέη «Αλκαζάρ» dimitra.samsaki Mon, 11/02/2026 - 15:29

Education type

Guided Tours

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Education Exhibition

Thessaloniki: The Footprint of Transition (1960-1980). Through the photographs of Pete Marifoglou

Start Date

Thu, 01/08/2026 - 12:00

End Date

Sun, 01/10/2027 - 20:39

Museum

Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar”

Body

Τhe guided tours are held in Greek.

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Τέμενος Χαμζά Μπέη «Αλκαζάρ»

cleo.gousiou — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:50:42 +0000

Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar” cleo.gousiou Fri, 10/23/2026 - 00:51

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Intro

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Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar”

Intro Text

The mosque was founded in 1467–1468 by the Ottoman military commander Hamza Bey in honor of his daughter Hafsa Hatun. The monument was built as a small, square prayer hall (mesjid) with a dome. In the mid- to late 16th century, the building was significantly expanded with the addition of a minaret and a large colonnaded courtyard (atrium), taking the form of a large mosque to meet the needs of the growing population. It is the first mosque that was built and operated as such in Thessaloniki, after the city was occupied by the Ottomans (1430).

The Hamza Bey Mosque is the only one in the Balkans to feature an atrium, with the exception of the mosques in Adrianople and Constantinople, which were capitals of the empire and seats of the sultanate. It is the only mosque with a portico whose founder was not a sultan, as it was an unwritten privilege of the Ottoman sultans to have colonnaded courtyards in their mosques. The square, domed hall, 17 m high, is illuminated by eight arched windows and a circular skylight. Twenty-two marble columns with 15 capitals dating from the early Christian period (5th–6th centuries) support the colonnades surrounding the atrium. The building ceased to function as a mosque after the liberation of Thessaloniki (1912). The mosque has undergone many changes throughout its long history. Refugees found shelter within its walls, and traces of their lives remain, such as the conversion of the entrance to the loft of the prayer hall into a fireplace. Other areas were converted into shops, while the most significant alteration was the transformation of the courtyard into the “Alkazar” movie theater—initially open-air and later enclosed by the installation of a roof over the courtyard.

For decades, the monument’s current state of deterioration was due to a number of factors and was further aggravated by the 1978 earthquake. From 2007 onwards, various documentation, stabilization, restoration, and conservation works were undertaken to protect the monument. Ιn 2023, the restoration project of the Hamza Bey Mosque was included in the Recovery and Resilience Facility. As part of the restoration interventions, the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Thessaloniki undertook the supervision and documentation of the archaeological excavations. The restoration and conservation works were undertaken by the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-byzantine Monuments and the Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments of the Ministry of Culture.

The monument now holds a new identity as a cultural space, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, MOMUS and the Ephorate of Antiquities City of Thessaloniki.

Contact Details

Address

49, Egnatia Av, 54631, Thessaloniki

Telephone

(+30) 2310 589141

reception.alkazar@momus.gr

Facebook

MOMUSMuseums

Instagram

momus_museums

Schedule

Open Hours

10:00 am ~ 07:00 pm

Closed

Open

Day

Monday

Open Hours

10:00 am ~ 06:00 pm

Closed

Day

Tuesday

Open Hours

10:00 am ~ 06:00 pm

Closed

Day

Wednesday

Open Hours

10:00 am ~ 06:00 pm

Closed

Day

Thursday

Open Hours

10:00 am ~ 06:00 pm

Closed

Day

Friday

Open Hours

10:00 am ~ 06:00 pm

Closed

Day

Saturday

Open Hours

10:00 am ~ 06:00 pm

Closed

Day

Sunday

Ticket Prices

Ticket Price

5.00€

Title

General Admission

Ticket Price

3.00€

Title

Students | Visitors 12 to 25 years of age | Visitors 65 years of age and over

Directions

40.637596743421, 22.94164246625

Transportation

Title

CAR / MOTORCYCLE

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The monument does not provide parking, but there are private parking options nearby.

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Title

BUS

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ANTIGONIDON STATION

WESTBOUND > EASTBOUND

01Ν, 02Κ, 10, 12, 14Α, 20, 21, 25, 27, 29, 29Α, 31, 32, 32Α, 34, 37, 38, 45, 45Α, 45Β, 52Β, 57, 70, 70Α, 71, 71Α, 83, 83Β

ARISTOTELOUS STATION

WESTBOUND > EASTBOUND

01Ν, 01Χ, 02Κ, 10, 14Α, 17, 24, 27, 28, 29, 29Α, 31, 32, 32Α, 34, 37, 38, 45, 45Α, 45Β, 52Β, 58, 70, 70Α, 71, 71Α, 83, 83Α, 83Β, 83Χ

ALCÁZAR STATION

EASTBOUND > WESTBOUND

01Ν, 02Κ, 14, 22 ,27, 28, 31, 37, 39, 39Α, 39Β, 44, 45, 45Α, 45Β, 71, 71Α

ANTIGONIDON STATION

EASTBOUND > WESTBOUND

01Ν, 02Κ, 14, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 32Α, 34, 34Α, 37, 38, 39, 39Α, 39Β, 44, 52Β, 57, 71, 71Α, 83, 83Β, 83Μ

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Title

BICYCLE / ELECTRIC SCOOTER

Text

The monument does not provide parking, but there are private parking options nearby.

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Title

SUBWAY

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Venizelou Station

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General Instructions

Eating, drinking, smoking and vaping is not allowed inside the monument.

While touring in the monument, visitors with backpacks are required to carry them on their side or in front in order to avoid any damage.

An option of using personal lockers for bags and luggage is not provided.

The central space of the monument is accessible by visitors with moving disabilities and wheelchair carriers.

Guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs for people with other disabilities are allowed.

Bicycles and scooters (electrical or not) are not permitted in the monument.

An Art Shop with POS service is available.

An audio guided tour for the monument and the exhibition is available, in Greek. English, Turkish, powered by SMARTIFY.

Days Closed

Days Closed Title

The monument remains closed on:

Days Closed Text

25.12 Christmas Day

26.12 Boxing Day

01.01 New Year's Day

06.01 Epiphany Day

Clean Monday

Easter Sunday

Easter Monday

01.05 May 1st

Holy Spirit Day

15.08 Assumption of Mary Day

26.10 Saint Demetrius Day

Special Opening Hours

Christmas Eve 24.12, 10:00-14:00

New Year’s Eve 31.12, 10:00-14:00

Good Friday, 13:00-18:00

Holy Saturday, 10:00-16:00

Museum Location

Thessaloniki_

Museum

Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar”

Free Entrance Title

The following categories of visitors are entitled to Free Admission

Free Entrance Text

Visitors with disabilities and person accompanying them | Families with three children – Families with many children | Children (under 12 years old) | Students of Higher Educational Institutions in Fine Arts, History & Archaeology, Architecture, Fine Arts Conservation, Tourist Guide Education | Professors of History of Art, Architecture, Fine Arts | Admission Free card holders | Members of Chamber of Fine Arts, the European Union, the European Economic Area | Journalists | Serving Military Service | ΙCOM, ICOMOS, AICA, ΙΚΤ (International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art) cardholders | Greek unemployed citizens

*Note: In any case, the presentation of a valid ID or relevant identification card is required.

- Escorting teachers during educational visits of schools and institutions of primary, secondary and tertiary education from EU member-states and countries of the European Economic Area.

- People entitled to Social Solidarity Income and members dependent on them, upon presentation of their ID card and certificate of free entry based on eligibility to the programme showing the duration, as well as a valid document certifying dependent members.

- Refugees, upon presentation of the International protection applicant card or a Travelling document of the 28th July 1951 Convention (a passport of recognized refugee) or a Foreign travelling document (a passport of recognised holder of subsidiary protection) or residence permit.

- Active employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development, the Acropolis Museum, the Kanellopoulos Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum upon presentation of their service ID card.

- Tourist guides in Greece, upon presentation of their professional ID card.

- Members of the Association of Greek Art Historians, upon presentation of their valid membership card.

- Active members of the Central Councils and Regional Councils of Monuments of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture (Decision in force, appointing them as members of the said Councils of the Ministry of Culture).

- Contract employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development, the Acropolis Museum, the Kanellopoulos Museum, the National Αrchaeological Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Renewal of the free pass is possible if they continue to be employed by the above bodies (Employment contract or certification of their employment relationship with the Ministry of Culture and the other bodies as appropriate).

- Retired employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development, the Acropolis Museum, the Kanellopoulos Museum, the National Αrchaeological Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Retirement decision or other relevant document, which explicitly states their pre-retirement employment relationship with the Ministry of Culture and the other bodies, as the case may be).

- Civil Servants in the Legal Advisor Office of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture (Certificate from the Central Office of the State Legal Council).

- Τeachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education in Greece (active and retired). In the case of substitute/hourly teachers, renewal of the free pass is possible if they continue to be employed as teachers (Certificate from the school or educational institution in general where they work or Pension Act respectively).

- Graduates of Departments of History and Archaeology of Schools of Philosophy, as well as graduates from Schools of Architecture, Fine Arts, Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, including Technicians of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art from Greece or from equivalent Schools of EU member-states and the European Economic Area, as well as holders of Master's or PhD Degrees from those Schools and Departments [(Degree (bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral degree as applicable) of the respective Schools/Departments].

- Graduates of Museum Studies programmes and Schools and Departments of Cultural Management of Higher Education Institutions in Greece or equivalent Institutions of EU member-states and the European Economic Area, as well as holders of Master's or PhD Degrees in those studies [(Degree (bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral degree as applicable) of the respective Schools/Departments].

Free admission - Anniversary days

06.03 Melina Mercouri Memorial Day

18.04 International Monuments Day

18.05 International Museum Day

Last weekend of every September, European Heritage Days

First Sunday of every month.

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Θεσσαλονίκη: Το Αποτύπωμα της Μετάβασης (1960–1980). Μέσα από τις φωτογραφίες του Pete Marifoglou

dimitra.samsaki — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:22:26 +0000

Thessaloniki: The Footprint of Transition (1960-1980). Through the photographs of Pete Marifoglou dimitra.samsaki Wed, 10/14/2026 - 10:22

Exhibition Type

Temporary

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Start Date

Sun, 10/11/2026 - 08:40

End Date

Wed, 03/31/2027 - 20:40

Museum

Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar”

Body

Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar” (49, Egnatia Av., Thessaloniki)

The Hamza Bey Mosque—widely known as the "Alcázar"—is being returned to the city of Thessaloniki after decades, with the monument's inaugural exhibition featuring the city itself in a starring role. The exhibition under the title “Thessaloniki: The Footprint of Transition (1960-1980). Through the photographs of Pete Marifoglou” offers a visual journey through Thessaloniki during a twenty-year period of rapid transformation. Through the black-and-white lens of Thessaloniki-native Pete Marifoglou and images presented to the public for the first time, the city is revealed as a living organism in transition, where tradition coexists and clashes with the new.

The exhibition is structured into three thematic sections that make up the mosaic of postwar Thessaloniki:

The Commercial Character and the Market: It captures the pulse of economic life in the city center and the historic markets, where the birth of modern consumerism still maintains a human touch.

People's Everyday Life: It focuses on the authentic, human rhythm of the city. From the fog of the Thermaic Gulf and the traditional coffee shops (kafenia) to the courtyards of the Upper Town (Ano Poli), it documents a daily life that still retained its bonds with tradition and the countryside.

Monuments in the Modern Urban Fabric: It captures the moment when the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage is "encircled" by the wave of antiparochi (the land-for-apartment exchange system) and reconstruction, while simultaneously beginning its own struggle for preservation and rescue.

Many of the landmarks shown in the exhibition as neglected or choked by traffic have today been restored, exemplarily preserved, and fully integrated into the modern life of the city through pedestrianization and redevelopment projects. The exhibition is not a simple exercise in nostalgia, but a benchmark that highlights Thessaloniki's journey toward modernization, inviting us to recognize the birth of the contemporary city.

Biographical note

Pete (Panagiotis) Marifoglou was born in 1944 in Thessaloniki. His family emigrated to the United States and settled in New York in 1950. Marifoglou lived in Manhattan, where he also studied. As a young student—and later a graduate—of the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York, he worked at the legendary Factory sets, where Andy Warhol’s experimental films were produced. Despite the distance, Thessaloniki remained a subject of his photographic gaze; he photographed the city during sporadic trips to Greece from the 1960s through the 1980s. A few years ago, he returned to Thessaloniki following a long career in New York.

Curated by: Thouli Misirloglou, Artistic Director of MOMUS-Museum of Contemporary Art, Theodore Markoglou, Curator at MOMUS-Museum of Contemporary Art

Info useful to know

Address: Hamza Bey Mosque “Alcázar” (49, Egnatia Av., Thessaloniki, 54631, Greece).

Opening days & hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00-18:00, Mondays closed. Last entrance, by 17:30. Visitors depart 15’ earlier than the closing time of the monument.

Admission: the entrance to the monument is admission free, until 25 October 2026. Then, there will be a 5€ entrance ticket; reduced prices and admission free, applied to certain groups (student, 65+, etc).

An audio guided tour is available for the monument and the exhibition, in Greek, English and Turkish, powered by Smartify.

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