İmaret

An imaret is a historical charity kitchen or social service facility found primarily in Ottoman culture, designed to provide free or low-cost food to those in need, including travelers, the poor, or the unemployed. Often part of larger complexes like mosques, imarets played a significant role in social welfare, reflecting Islamic principles of charity. They featured kitchens, dining areas, and sometimes associated shops or accommodations, serving as community support centers that promoted social solidarity and helped alleviate poverty through communal aid and hospitality.