…Imaret
Imaret is an intimate luxurious hospitality property, located within the homonymous historical monument. Built in 1817 right in the middle of the historical district of Kavala, in northern Greece, Imaret is an unexpected oasis of tranquility and superior service. The monument is a rare example in Europe, a masterpiece of late Ottoman architecture. 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.
History Nuggets
Kavala is a city in Northern Greece, a port between Thessaloniki and Istanbul, with a long and significant presence in the historical evolution of the area, from the classical to the post Ottoman times. An important aspect of the town’s past, is that of the birthplace of Mohamed Ali Pasha, the founder of modern Egypt and the Egyptian Royal Dynasty. Mohamed Ali was born in 1769, when Kavala, along with Egypt, formed part of the Ottoman Empire.
The identity of the town as a tobacco trade center is considered by historians to have influenced the ruler’s profile, as the man who transformed and modernized Egypt, economically and otherwise. In 1813, as a donation to his hometown, he founded and supervised the construction of an impressive Imaret, Koranic school and charitable center. The edifice supported the educational, social and religious needs of the Muslim population and ceased its operation, after their departure from the area, in 1923.
In 2001, following an agreement with the Egyptian government, a private investor undertook the task of restoring both monuments, in order to achieve a contemporary use, compatible with their identity, cultural significance and history. The restoration was acclaimed as the most important and costly procedure, by the private sector in Greece.
