The main stop for any traveler to Turkey is rightfully the unparalleled majesty of Istanbul. However, a mere two and a half hours from Istanbul lies a city smaller in size, but only slightly less storied in history. Visitors would be well worth their while to spend a little time in Edirne, Turkey´s gateway to Europe.
Edirne occupies a key site in the geography of southeastern Europe, in historic Eastern Thrace, and has thus been a highly contested city for most of its existence and was the site of several crucial battles. Known in the West as Adrianople, Edirne would become the capital of the emerging Ottoman Empire for nearly a century before the Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
flickr/Sinan Saldıran
The City of Edirne
The city´s star attraction is the Selimiye Mosque, built in the 16th century by the Ottoman Empire´s most famous architect, Mimar Sinan. Although Sinan designed and built some of the most grandiose and famous mosques of Istanbul, he reportedly considered Selimiye to be his masterpiece. The mosque claims the second-highest minarets in the world, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
flickr/Tonoz
Selimiye Mosque
Selimiye is situation on the city´s main square, along with two other impressive mosques, Uc Serefeliand the Old Mosque. From the square visitors can leisurely enjoy the historic streets of the city, heading to the rustic old quarter or venturing to the worthwhile Museum of Archaeology andMuseum of Islamic Arts. Food-wise, Edirne is famous within Turkey for its liver, uniquely prepared and spiced, which visitors should make sure to sample.
flickr/Yavuz
The interior of the Uc Serefeli Mosque
Situated only a few kilometers from both the Greek and Bulgarian borders, Edirne makes a convenient stopping point while entering or exiting Turkey by land. For those shorter on time, the city can also be visited as a day trip from Istanbul.
Where to stay in Edirne
Located right next to Selimiye Mosque, the Edirne Palace Hotel is ideally situated to visit Edirne’s best attractions. For a more luxurious stay, the 5-star Margi Hotel is the place to stay.
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