Imaret

The Imaret was built in 1813-1821 by Mohammed Ali, Viceroy (Wali-Governor) of Egypt and founder of the dynasty, as a gift to his hometown. It provided social and educational services (Külliye) and was attached to a mosque, a typical Muslim act of charity. It housed two medreses (religious seminaries), a kitchen for the needy (imaret), a primary school (mekteb), and a prayer/teaching room (mescid/dershane). A good example of the Ottoman Baroque style, an indication of metropolitan influences, it preserves the dedicatory inscriptions, masterpieces of calligraphy and composition. Today, it has been converted into a luxury hotel, by means of a long-term lease from the Egyptian State.