Hamza Bey Mosque (Alcazar)

The Hamza Bey Mosque, better known today as "Alcazar," is one of the most characteristic buildings in the center of Thessaloniki, at the intersection of Egnatia and Venizelou streets. It was the first mosque built in the city in 1467-1468 by Hafsa Hatun, the daughter of Hamza Bey, an Ottoman official. The subsequent addition of columns and column capitals in the courtyard, which were transferred from Christian temples and monasteries and are still preserved today, gave the monument one of the many unique elements it maintained throughout its operation.

The mosque was built following the architectural style of the holy city of Mecca. After the departure of the Muslim population from the city, it ceased to function as a religious space and was used to accommodate refugees. Later, it turned into a cinema, initially a summer cinema and later indoors. The name of the cinema ("Alcazar") is what most people know it as today.

The building underwent several changes over time, especially during the 20th century, after the liberation of the city. It became a popular entertainment hub and a social gathering place for Thessalonians from the 1930s until the 1980s when it closed. These changes altered some of its characteristics, but its grandeur was preserved, and it remains an imposing landmark connecting modern Thessaloniki with its ancient past. Today, it stands as another monument that links the contemporary city with its timeless history and is visible to visitors as they explore the city.