EDIRNE
Edirne is a gateway of Turkey opening
to western world in Thrace, the first stopover
for newcomers from Europe. Situated between the Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish
borders, this beautiful city is famed for its many mosques,
the elegant domes and minarets which dominate
the panoramic appearance of the province. It was the capital of the Ottoman
Empire from 1416 until the conquest of Istanbul
by Mehmet II in 1453.
One of the most important monuments in this ancient province is the
Selimiye Mosque, built in the 16th century by
the Turkey's greatest architect, Mimar
Sinan. Carrying the name of the sultan
reigning in that era, this mosque magnificently
represents Turkish marble handicrafts and architecture,
and it is covered with valuable tiles and fine paintings. The Yildirim
Mosque and the Eski Mosque, dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries
respectively, are other spectacular sights while the Muradiye Mosque and
the Üç Serefeli Mosque are also among the oldest and most impressive
buildings. Last to be mentioned is the Beyazit II Mosque, a great monument
with its complex construction comprising many facilities used in those
times.
Besides the fascinating mosques, there are
different sites to be visited in Edirne, all reflecting
its rich past. There are attractive palaces, the most prominent one being
the Edirne Palace, which was the "Palace of the Empire" built during the
reign of sultan Murat II. There are amazing
caravansaries, like the Rüstem
Pasha and Ekmekcioglu Ahmet Pasha caravansaries,
which were designed to host travelers, in the 16th century.
The lively bazaars of "Bedesten" and "Arasta" make the province colorful
and bring back the ancient times. Several bridges exist which have stood
for centuries, adorning the land with their old but fine appearances.
Ipsala, is a district of Edirne province and it is Turkey's
second most important border gate, on the European frontier, with Greece. It
is a wildfowl paradise enjoyed by both Turkish and foreigners.
A specialty of Edirne is to be a center for grease-wrestling (yagli
güres), which is the national sport of Turkey.
Lively championships are held here every July, for more than 400 years,
on Kirkpinar island, a forested area between the Meriç and Tunca
rivers. These traditional occasions compromize many entertaining activities,
and the province is filled with spectators.