Built in 1817…
Right in the middle of the historical district of Kavala, in northern Greece, the Imaret is an unexpected oasis of tranquility and superior service. Kavala was the birthplace of the founder of the last Egyptian dynasty, Mehmet Ali. He lived in the city for many years and his home is now a museum, standing at the top of the Panayia district hill, close to the church of the same name. Mehmet Ali was a great benefactor to the city, erecting the poorhouse (Imaret) in 1817, which originally functioned as a religious school and a boarding school. The monument, which now belongs to the Egyptian state, is a remarkable example of late Ottoman architecture that has since been converted into a luxury hotel. The variety of decoration, the quality of the delicate structures, the interaction between indoors and open spaces and the adaptability of the functional structures, create an original complex of high aesthetic and cultural value.
