Once Edirne was the capital of the Ottoman Empire before it was moved to the conquered Constantinople. Today the city is called the gateway to Turkey due to its location on the border with Greece and Bulgaria.
Edirne: Gateway to Turkey
At different times the city belonged to the Romans, Byzantines, Greeks and, of course, the Turks. Here you can see centuries of cultural blending everywhere: Byzantine bridges, numerous ancient mosques, Ottoman wooden houses, Turkish bazaars, active Orthodox churches. Edirne also has a dervish lodge (tekke) and a school attached to it. By the way, the city was one of the stops on the legendary “Orient Express”.
Practical Information
- Population — over 185,000 people.
- Area — 844 km².
- Currency — Turkish Lira.
- Visa — Citizens of Ukraine enjoy a visa-free regime for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. A valid foreign passport with at least 150 days (5 months) of validity from the date of entry is sufficient.
- Time — UTC +3 (daylight saving time/winter time switch has been abolished, permanent time applies).
- Language — Turkish.
Best Time to Visit
The best time for a trip is from May to October. Keep in mind that July and August can be quite hot.
How to Get There
The most convenient way is to fly to Istanbul. The main passenger airport is New Istanbul Airport (İstanbul Havalimanı); you can also consider Sabiha Gökçen Airport. From Istanbul to Edirne, it’s easy to get by intercity bus. The bus station (Otogar) is located far from the city center. Free shuttles (servis) from bus operators run to the historic center, as well as paid minibuses (dolmuş).
What to See?
Selimiye Mosque (Selimiye Camii)
A masterpiece built by the genius architect Mimar Sinan, it is one of the greatest achievements of Islamic architecture. It is not just a mosque but an entire complex of buildings consisting of a school, madrasa, library, hospital, and baths. This whole ensemble is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The unique system of domes and arches applied here has no analogues in buildings of this type. The premises of the old madrasa now house a free Museum of Islamic Education.
Old Town Kaleiçi
The Kaleiçi district was almost completely rebuilt after a major fire in the 19th century. However, Ottoman wooden houses can still be found here, and some buildings remain unrestored, looking as if the fire raged here just yesterday. This district also houses the Great Synagogue (Dilaverbey Mahallesi, Maarif Cd No:75), built on the model of the Viennese one. It was fully restored in 2015 and today serves as the center of Jewish culture in Turkey.
Once fortress walls and defensive towers rose around the old city. Most of them were destroyed in 1953 after an earthquake as they were in a dilapidated state. Only the Macedonian Tower (Çavuşbey Mahallesi, Mumcular Sk. No: 9) survives. Now it can be found on Mumcular Street next to ordinary residential buildings.
River Island Sarayiçi
This is a picturesque spot next to the historic center of Edirne. Here you will find Byzantine vaulted bridges, the ruins of an Ottoman palace, and the Tower of Justice. The tower was built by the same Mimar Sinan who worked on the Selimiye Mosque. The Supreme Court of the Ottoman Empire convened in this tower, from which the structure got its name. On the upper floor, you can see what served in the 16th–19th centuries as a pool with a marble fountain.
