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LOCATIONS IN EDiRNE
Edirne, once the capital of the Ottoman Empire with a rich diversity of historical and cultural beauties, is adorned with historical monuments such as inns, mosques, bridges and bazaars. All these monuments bear traces of the city's extraordinary past. Attracting visitors with its artistic and cultural fortune and home to many important historical monuments of the Ottoman period, Edirne ranks first in Türkiye and second in the world after Florence in the ranking of cities with the most historical monuments per square meter.
A masterpiece of Turkish art and the architectural history of the world, Selimiye Mosque is visible from all over the city with its monumental dome and four delicate architectures. Selimiye Mosque and Complex, built by Mimar Sinan and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011, is composed of the Yıldırım Beyazıd Mosque, Old Mosque, Üç Şerefeli Mosque, II. Bayezid Mosque and Complex, Muradiye and Dar'ul Hadis Mosques; Sveti Georgi Bulgarian Church, Constantine-Helena Church, Edirne Synagogue, Italian Catholic Church; inns, bazaars (Bedesten, Arasta), Turkish baths (Sokollu, Tahtakale, Mezit Bey, Beylerbeyi, Gazi Mihal), caravanserais, historical bridges over Arda, Tunca, Ergene and Meriç rivers and the ancient city of Enez.
- Museums and Caravanserais
The Museum of Turkish Islamic Art, Edirne Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, the Health Museum in the Bayezid II Complex, the City Museum and the Balkan War Museum in the highest part of the city are among the destinations not to be missed for those who want to shoot with their luxurious and striking content.
Due to its location on the region that connected Istanbul, which became the capital after it, with the west, many caravanserais were established in the city. The Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai and the Ahmet Pasha Caravanserai, now used as hotels, have survived until today.
Edirne has preserved many of its colourful traditions and customs. Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling, an important cultural value on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, is held every summer on an emerald green meadow in Sarayiçi. The traditional festival, which has the title of Guinness Book of Records and carries traces of Ottoman history, is followed by thousands of people every year as it is a unexampled sports competition because the wrestlers are covered in oil.
Saros Bay is a natural protected area with its clean sea, wide and sandy beaches and cool water stretching from the Gallipoli Peninsula to Enez. In Ibrice, located in Saros Bay, you can explore the underwater waters of the Aegean coast in Türkiye at nearly 20 different diving spots!
TRANSPORTATION
Edirne, which is Türkiye's gateway to Europe, is very easy to reach via gihgways. The distance between Istanbul and Edirne is approximately 238 km and there are bus services every hour. Tekirdağ- Çorlu Airport is the closest airport to Edirne. You can reach Edirne in 1.5 hours by flying to Tekirdağ-Çorlu Airport from many cities with a connecting flight from Ankara. Another transportation option to Edirne is the railway. There are daily shuttles between Istanbul and Edirne. Also, the train departing from İstanbul-Halkalı goes all the way to Kapıkule. Edirne is one of the stops of the Sofia Express, which runs regularly between Bulgaria and Istanbul. Edirne, İpsala and Pazarkule border gates lead to Greece and Kapıkule border gate leads to Bulgaria.
ACCOMMODATION IN EDiRNE
In Edirne, there are numerous hotel alternatives where you can rest in luxury and stay close to ancient landmarks.