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 centre is considered by historians to have influenced the ruler's profile, as the man who transformed and modernised 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 centre. 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 inverstor 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.
The house of Mohamed Ali has now been turned into a hubb for art and culture and within the premises of Imaret there is a monumental boutique hotel. Both monuments are unique landmarks of history and cultural heritage of the Arab civilisation in Europe.