Selimiye Mosque
Ahmet Pasa
Caravanserai
Kirkpinar
Enez (Ainos) |
EDIRNE
North
of Tekirdag on the border between Greece and Turkey,
Edirne was for some years the Ottoman capital, and in
the 18th century one of the seven largest cities in
Europe. On a verdant plain of poplar trees near the
junction of the Tunca and Meric Rivers, this graceful
historical city welcomes visitors as they make their
way to Istanbul and other points east. The people of
the Edirne area trace their origins beyond the rule of
the Macedonians. The Roman emperor Hadrian rebuilt the
city and renamed it Hadrianople after himself. With
the division of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines
claimed Edirne and in 1361, Sultan Murat 1 added it to
his empire. Its position for almost 100 years as
capital of the Ottoman Empire accounts for its many
historically and architecturally important buildings.
With its mosques, religious complexes, bridges, old
bazaars, caravanserais and palaces, Edirne is a living
museum. The Selimiye Mosque is the city's focal point.
Occupying the top of a hill, Sinan's design reflects
the classical Ottoman style.
Built
on the orders of Sultan Selim II, (1569-1575) it
attests to the technological abilities of the day and
the genius of the Ottoman's master architect. Built
between 1403 and 1414 by Mehmet I, the Eski Mosque is
the oldest Ottoman structure in Edirne. The white
marble of its portal contrasts with the building's cut
stone and brick masonry. Calligraphic inscriptions of
Koranic verses decorate the interior. The Ucserefeli
Mosque, built between 1438 and 1447 by Murat I,
presages the great period of Ottoman mosque
architecture under Sinan and embodies both a new
freedom from restraint and advances in engineenng. The
northwest minaret has three galleries, hence the
mosque's name, and was the highest minaret until those
of the Selimiye Mosque eclipsed it. Towards the end of
the 15th century, Beyazit II commissioned the
architect Hayrettin to build him a complex in Edirne
which includes a mosque, Daarrussifa (hospital),
medrese, kitchen and store rooms. The mosque is square
in plan and covered with a deep dome; over 100 domes
roof the remainder. The most important of the other
buildings is the Daarrusifa which stood out iriits
time as a modem hospital with a unique and humane
architectural design. Little has changed in the
Kaleici section of Edirne since the Middle Ages.
Narrow streets lined with houses wind through the area.
The number of small restaurants and cafes reflect the
district's renaissance. Sinan built several of the
famous baths in Edirne including the Sokollu,
Tahtalale, Mezit Bey, Beylerbeyi and Gazi Mihal. His
work is also seen in the Ahmet Pasa Caravanserai and
the Rustem Pasa Caravanserai of 1561. The latter has
been renovated and serves as a charming hotel. The old
bedesten of the early 15th century still functions as
Edirne's main marlet. As you drive around the area you
will notice many lovely Ottoman bridges gracing the
Tunca and Meric Rivers.
Edirne has retained many of its colorful traditions
and customs. Every summer, where the Tunca River
divides, an emerald green meadow is created, called
Sarayici, where the Kirkpinar Greased Wrestling
Contests are held. Shiny, slippery bodies grapple to
determine who will emerge as champion. As you walk
through the city and peer into the corners of the
grocery stores, you see blocks of white feta cheese, a
local speciality Hardaliye, another of the city's
delicacies, is a grape drink mixed with mustard and
marzipan. Scented soaps, earthenware pots and straw
baskets from Edirne make good souvenirs. You will find
it difficult to resist the beautiful embroidery work
of the local women. The Archaeology and Ethnography
Museum traces the history of the area from prehistoric
to Byzantine times and exhibits clothing from the late
Ottoman period. At the Turkish Islamic Art Museum
examples of Ottoman artitectural details, calligraphy,
manuscripts, Koratis, weapons, glass and an imperial
tent used on military campaigns are displayed.
On
the way to the Saroz Gulf in the Aegean Sea, you can
stop at uzunkopru to see an interesting bridge
spanning the Ergene River, built by Murat II in 1444.
Its 174 arches, the highest of which is 12.28 meters,
make up its 1,354-meter length. The mild climate and
beautiful surroundings on the Saroz Gulf invite
holiday makers for a break of relaxation. On the
northern edge of the gulf are the lovely lbrice and
Erikli beaches. Here hotel and guest-house facilities
are plentiful and reasonably priced.
Enez (Ainos) was an important port in ancient times
today it lies 3.5 km. inland. Its origins can be
traced to the 12th century B.C. and was an important,
settlement during the Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine and
Ottoman periods. Currently, it remains an open air
museum and was built by the, Kyme people and was known
as a colony of western Anatolian civilization Enez
Castle has been restored several times throughout
history and is well worth a visit. There is also a
church dating from the 6th century, some carved tombs
and a beach with clear water. The people here are
quite hospitable and Enez makes an interesting
stopover.
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