EDİRNE

Formely known as Hadrianopolis, Edirne is located in Thrace, which is a border province of Greece and Bulgaria. Founded in the 3rd century, it is now an important border city situated at the confluence of the Tunca and Meriç rivers (Maritza).
Capital of the Ottoman Empire during the first half of the 15th century and place of birth of the Conqueror, it remained a place of residence much appreciated by the sultans after the conquest of Constantinople.
The Selimiye Mosque, Sinan's masterpiece, was built between 1566 and 1575 for Selim II. This mosque is the culmination of Sinan's centralized-domed plans, and he himself considered this mosque to be his masterwork. The courtyard is surrounded by porticos decorated with floral designs and topped with 22 domes supported by 18 columns. The 20 windows around the courtyard are covered with glazed tile panels. The shutters of the doors are fine examples of engraving and mother of pearl relief. The great central dome which height from the ground to the keystone is 43,28 m /142 ft, has a diameter of 31,30 m / 102.7 ft. It is supported by eight massive piers in between which are impressive arcades. Except for the dome, the walls and arches are very plainly decorated. The red colour marks the contours of the basic architectural forms. The dome is framed and balanced by the four loftiest minarets in Turkey, which are 70,89 m high.
The Grand Hammam, also by the same architect, is still in use. The Edirne Palace built during the reign of Murat II, the Bazaar, the Ottoman wooden houses, the Caravanserais, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, the numerous old bridges are among the curiosities.


Ottoman bridge over the Meriç river

Dome of the Selimiye mosque
In Kırkpınar, oil-wrestling events take place every year in June/July. For 600 years a special ceremonial have fixed up the order of these sportive events to the rhythm of drums, big drums and clarinets.