The Residence of Haji Sakir Omer Bey
Standing above the sea with timelessness, the Residence of Haji Sakir Omer Bey is one of Kavala’s most beautiful buildings. Built in the early 20th century by a Turkish tobacconist, this house combines luxury and location, the wealth and beauty of the Ottoman elite. Over the years it has changed roles – from private villa to military headquarters – just like Kavala itself through wars, political changes and urban evolution.
The residence was built circa 1910 by Haji Sakir Omer Bey, a rich Turkish tobacco merchant, during the period of urban and economic growth of Kavala. Architecturally it is an Eastern Classicism, the style of the Ottoman upper class in the late Ottoman period.
The most impressive feature of the house is the ornamental wavy gable facing the sea – a design that combines elegance with sea symbolism. The symmetry, the arches and the natural light show attention to detail and cultural sensitivity to aesthetics and location.
Although it was built as a private residence, the spacious layout and the solid construction allowed it to be used as an institutional and military building in the years that followed.
History & Culture
With the Greco-Turkish population exchange in the 1920s Haji Sakir Omer Bey and his family were relocated and the house was given to the Greek state. It soon found new purpose housing officers of the 4th Army Corps and later the 7th Division. This was the beginning of its long military service.
Its seafront location made it very valuable during World War II. From 1941 to 1944 during the German occupation of Greece the residence was the command post of the German seaplane forces based in Kavala. Inside its walls operations were planned and executed, so the building was at the heart of military activity in the area.
Despite all these changes the residence kept its architectural integrity. Today it stands as a testimony to the layered history of Kavala – a building that has silently witnessed grandeur and conflict.
Local Interest
Not open to the public the Residence of Haji Sakir Omer Bey still attracts the attention of passersby in the coastal area of Panagia. Its facade, sea view and preserved form make it a beautiful sight against the city.
The house is part of Kavala’s architectural heritage as a symbol of transition: from Ottoman cosmopolitanism to Greek nationhood and from war era occupation to peaceful preservation.
For architecture lovers, historians or anyone with an eye for hidden landmarks this residence offers a glimpse into Kavala’s complex past and its quiet endurance to change.
Map
Old Aqueduct
Halil Bey Mosque
