Before leaving the old town and the castle do not forget to have a look at the Imaret Hotel, one of the best hotels in Europe. It was built in 1817 on the hill of the Panagia in the Old Town by Mehmet Ali Pasha, thus its oriental appearance. It stands out thanks to its impressing and imposing architecture. In the beginning it served as a religious school in charge of the religious and general education of those interested. The Imaret, which means “kitchen for soups”, used to offer hot soup to those attending the classes.
From 1902 to 1923, it denied its previous role and started hosting refugees from Minor Asia. In 1954 it was listed as a protected monument, later it became a place of entertainment, and since 2001 it is a luxury hotel of great architectural beauty with a unique appearance.