The city of Edirne is the first and closest city after crossing the Bulgarian-Turkish border via Kapu kule. Despite its rich history and past, which are directly related to Bulgarian history, the city is currently known mainly as a cheap shopping destination. Cheap shopping is also the main reason thousands of compatriots travel there. But Edirne has another, far less interesting face, which remains hidden behind the laundry detergents and groceries for next to nothing. In the city itself and in its surroundings there are many places and sights that a person not only can but is worth seeing.
The Tower of justice
Also known as the “Pavilion of Justice”, the tower is located in an easily accessible location for tourists. Its history is long and extremely interesting. This tower was once part of the Edirne Palace. In it justice was administered and the fates of criminals, traitors, and former friends were decided. This tower is also the only remaining part of the Ottoman palace, which was built for Suleiman the Magnificent by the architect Sinan in 1561. The distribution of space in its interior includes four floors and a marble pool with a fountain. Legend has it that it was here that Suleiman wrote the laws of the Empire. Today, the tower houses a museum of artifacts.
Lausanne monument and museum
Built in 1998, the Lausanne monument and museum are located on the territory of Thrace University in Edirne. This landmark was built in honor of the Treaty of Lausanne, which founded the Republic of Turkey and symbolizes Atatürk’s dream of a legal, developed, secular Turkey.
Huddlelock bastion
Huddersfield Bastion is another historical site that definitely deserves the attention of tourists. It is located outside the city, a few minutes by car from the center of Edirne. The bastion played an important role in the history of the Ottoman Empire, being in its glory days the largest Ottoman bastion in this part of the Empire. Its perimeter is 1,800 meters and consists of a main building through which is the entrance to the interior, artillery rooms, gun emplacements, a trench, a courtyard and administrative buildings. All of them have been reconstructed as precisely as possible, according to the historical data and documents found in the region. This place allows everyone who visits it to relive the fierce battles, heavy battles and unforgettable historical moments that connect the Ottoman Empire with the peoples who inhabited the Balkan Peninsula.
Rüstem Pasha’s caravanserai
The infamous Caravan of Rüstem Pasha is considered the navel of the city of Edirne. It is a brilliant example of traditional Ottoman architecture. It is the work of the great and trusted architect Sinan. The place has porticoed courtyards and today its two floors have been converted into a hotel, but its spirit and beauty have been preserved.
The Bulgarian church “St.George”
In the border regions, it is difficult to find a Turkish town that does not have bright Bulgarian traces. In Edirne, the trace is the Bulgarian church “St. George”. It is located in the broad center of the city. Its history dates back to 1880. To this day, it houses drawings from and of the first church, which was rebuilt several times from its ruins.
The bridge over Maritsa river
The bridge over Maritza river is emblematic of Edirne. This is the first thing tourists see before the colorful world of this city is revealed to them. Built by Abdulmejit, the bridge is 263 meters long and consists of 12 arches pointed at the upper end. It is a typical example of bridges from the Ottoman period of Turkey.
The fountain of Hadji Adil Bey
In Islam, it is believed that it is God-pleasing and dignified to build a fountain. It is believed that everyone who has the financial opportunity should build at least one fountain in their lifetime. This explains the fact that in the Turkish lands the fountains were and are in a special state almost to this day. One of the emblematic fountains of the city of Edirne is the Hadji Adil Bey fountain. It dates from 1904, when it was completed, it has baroque elements and a fountain. There, next to the fountain, is the tomb of the son of Adil Bey, who was killed by the hand of a Bulgarian bandit in Strandzha.
Beyazid bridge
Every city which has a river near or around it has several famous bridges. The Beyazid Bridge is the second most popular bridge in Edirne. It is considered one of the most spectacular architectural projects of the city. It is the work of the architect Hairetin, who in 1488 begins to build something magnificent for its time, 78 meters long. Another interesting historical bridge is located near it – Yalnazgyoz.
The Synagogue
Edirne is a city in which the history of many ethnicities, nations and religions is intertwined. It is for this reason that the Edirne Synagogue is among the must-see sights here. It is also called the Great Synagogue of Edirne and is considered to be one of the largest synagogues in the world. In 1942 The Sephardic community on these lands decided to build it as a symbol of the salvation of the Balkan Jews.
The Selimiye mosque
The Selimiye mosque is beautiful in a work of Ottoman architecture that should not be missed under any circumstances. For the architect Sinan, this mosque is the “icing on the cake” as it is his masterpiece. Stone, marble, carved slabs, mother-of-pearl and wood are masterfully interwoven in this mosque with nearly 500 years of history.
Edirne is not a city to be underestimated from a tourist point of view. Not a day, not two, not three, would be enough to visit its sights, which are like mushrooms after rain, scattered and peeping from every corner. But in the space of a weekend, one can get a general idea of the history that has been preserved in these lands and absorb a solid amount of it.
