'''Edirne''' (pronounced ''eh-deer-neh'') is a city in Eastern Thrace, in northwest Turkey.

Understand

This city can be your first or last destination in Turkey, depening on the direction of your itinenary, as it_fs located on an intersection where borders of three countries meet: Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. Visiting this city is also feasible as a long day trip from Istanbul.

Edirne_fs former name is ''Adrianople'', i.e. _gCity of Hadrianus_h, named after the Roman emperor who founded the city on the site of Thracian village of Uskudama. Between 1700 and 1750, Edirne was the fourth biggest city in Europe, with a population of about 350,000 people (it_fs hardly 150,000 today). It also served Ottoman Empire as its capital city before Constantinople was captured. All these make up for city_fs historical outlook, from huge Ottoman imperial complexes to neo-classical architecture of downtown shops, although at first sight, all you_fll see will be concrete apartment blocks when entering the city (and Selimiye Mosque right in front of you).

Edirne is nowadays the capital of Edirne Province.

Climate

Temperate continental ? hot and occasionally rainy (as showers which tend to last for 15-20 minutes) summers (expect up to 40o C); cold and rainy, occasionally snowy winters (expect down to -10o C). Spring and autumn months tend to be warmer than the locations on the sea coast (such as Istanbul), but winter arrives earlier (in November). Because Edirne lies in a geography that is the entering point of many weather systems from Balkans (Southeastern Europe) into Turkey, a good way of forecasting the weather conditions for the next few days is to follow what other Balkan cities such as Plovdiv, Bulgaria is currently experiencing, as quite the same conditions will be what Edirne is experiencing within a two or three days time.

Get in

By bus

Easiest way to reach to Edirne is by bus from Istanbul. Departures are at any time with a fare of some 10 euros and a trip of two hours. Bus station in Edirne is located out of the city but free service midibuses will take you to the city center.

There are no direct buses to Bulgaria. It is, however, possible to take a taxi to Kapikule on the Bulgarian border. From there one can sometimes wave over a bus traveling on to Plovdiv and Sofia. Another approach could be to walk across the border and take a bus or train from Kapitan Andreevo on the Bulgarian side of the border.

By train

There are two daily trains from Istanbul_fs Sirkeci station (one at 8:30AM in the morning, and the other at about 4PM in the afternoon. Both arrives in Edirne about four hours later). Trains from Europe to Istanbul also call at the city station.

By car

The city is located on the main highways linking Turkey and Europe (road numbers: toll-free D100 and toll-road/motorway O-3/E80). A drive takes no more than two hours from Istanbul (224 km away) to Edirne on the motorway, even less if you drive ''very'' fast. The main European-Turkish border post Kapikule/Kapitan Andreevo (between Turkey and Bulgaria, SE of Svilengrad) is about 15-20 km away from the city, while less significant Pazarkule border post (between Turkey and Greece, north of Orestiada) is even nearer.

Get around

Almost entirety of Edirne is in walking distance.However for some relatively distant places you may take taxi which will cost only a few euros.

There are also lots of minibuses heading for outer neighborhoods of the city.

See

  • '''Selimiye Mosque''' - ''that'' mosque which dominates the skyline of the city. A grandiose piece of art by Sinan, the Ottoman architect of 16th century. Sinan himself considered this building as his best work. The dome of the building had the largest diameter (31.28 mt) of all domes in the world for several centuries. And its minarets (towers) are the second highest minarets (70.89 mt) in whole world, surpassed only by Qutb Minar (72.50 mt) in Delhi, India. The mosque has 999 windows in total, which according to its architect Sinan, symbolize the perfectness of God. If you have admired Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) of Istanbul, you_fll sure adore this one, since Blue Mosque is quite a copy of Selimiye. ''Free admission''
  • '''Arasta''' ? This is one of the covered bazaars of Edirne. Next to Selimiye.
  • '''Old Mosque (Eski Cami)''' - The smallest ?and the oldest- one of three nearby, imperial mosques in downtown Edirne, it's known for its calligraphic inscriptions on its interior walls.
  • '''Uc ?erefeli (Three Minaret) Mosque''' - This downtown mosque is also easily recognizable by not only its dinstiction of having three minarets (towers) which is not very common in Islamic world (one, two, and four towers are most common), but also by the uniqueness of its towers that all three have different designs/motives decorated on. ''Free admission''
  • Behind this mosque stands the last '''tower''' of Edirne_fs '''city walls'''. It's named ''Makedonya Kulesi'' (_gMacedonian Tower_h), a round and robust tower, not unlike Thessaloniki's White Tower except its colour, and next to it is the last visible section of city walls. It_fs possible to enter the tower itself, but impossible to climb upstairs. It_fs located in a back alley, so while you are near the Three Minaret, look around on the top of buildings to see the flag on a tower made of red-brick if you can_ft exactly find it. The tower also served as a clock tower until 1953, when the upper part of the tower was demolished because of the danger of collapse.
  • '''Saraclar Caddesi''' (Street) in downtown is a pedestrianized shopping street with pleasant cafes on sides. The old shop buildings on this street has a distinctively neoclassical architecture.
  • '''Maarif Caddesi''' and the adjoining streets, located a few blocks west from Saraclar Cad., is where lots of '''historical wooden houses''' are located. Their walls are decorated with highly delicate handwork. Also on one end of Maarif Cad. is the '''Jewish Synagogue''', the biggest one in Turkey and the whole Balkans, but is slowly decaying now. Almost all of its wooden sections (roof, windows) has collapsed in one way or the other, but its stone walls are sound enough to show its former grandeur. Entry is forbidden.
  • '''Muradiye Mosque'''
  • '''Beyazit Complex'''
  • '''Medical Museum''' (''Sa?l?k Muzesi'')? This museum, which was awarded _gEuropean Museum of the Year_h in early 2000s, was essentially a mental institution used during Ottoman times. It was notable for its _gprogressive_h/_halternative_h approach towards its patients. Instead of locking them into cells with shackles, which was widespread during that time, methods such as meditative music or flower gardens were tried in this institution.
  • '''Balkan Wars Martyrdom''' (''Balkan Sava?lar? ?ehitli?i'') ? On the highest hill of the city, next to the city cemetery. The hill gives a nice view of the city and the forests surrounding the rivers behind. ''Free admission''
  • '''Museum of Archeology'''
  • '''Museum of Islamic Arts'''
  • '''Justice Court (Adalet Kasr?)''' - former Ottoman imperial residence before the dynasty moved to Istanbul in 15th century. Unused for nearly five centuries, there is only one tower of it left, fortunately in an intact state. It_fs located in the outskirts of the city, near a river (Tundza probably). Also '''K?rkp?nar Pasture''' where oil-wrestling competitions take place every year is nearby.
  • '''Old Bridges'''
  • '''Karaa?ac''' Quarter (pronounced ''kaa-rraa-ah-ach'') - Although very quiet now, it used to be main nightlife spot of the city in the past. You_fll pass on two old and very long '''bridges''' (on Tundza (tr.:''Tunca'') and Maritsa (tr.:''Meric'') rivers respectively, Maritsa bridge is gloriously longer as the riverbed is gloriously larger) and a cobbled road going through a forest of centuries-old trees on the way to Karaa?ac from downtown. While you are in Karaa?ac, don_ft forget to take a look at the historical building of '''Presidency of Trakya University''' (''Rektorluk''), which served as the main train station of the city for years. Also you can check out the '''Lausanne Monument''' (a modern art monument which consist of three poles which symbolize Turkish motherland: the longest one symbolizes Anatolia, or Asian Turkey, the middle-sized symbolizes Eastern Thrace, while the shortest symbolizes Karaa?ac itself, being the only Turkish soil west of Maritsa River, in other words west of ''Eastern'' Thrace) and the '''open air sculpture exhibition''' in the Presidency_fs yard, which contains marble statues chipped ''in situ'' by sculptors from countries neighbouring Turkey.
  • Do

  • Watch an '''oil-wrestling''' (''ya?l? gure?'') competition, the national sport of Turks (although surpassed a little by soccer lately), which takes place in K?rkp?nar Pasture in the outskirts of the city every year (although dates vary year to year, it always takes place in late spring or early summer, such months as May, June or July). This is the most prestigous wrestling tournament in Turkey and the winner is titled ''ba?pehlivan'' (_gchief of all wrestlers_h) of the year.
  • Buy

    Edirne is famous for its '''fruit-shaped soaps'''. They are not used for cleaning (although they can clean as well as other soaps do) but for decoration. Within the first months you put them into a room, they also work as natural air fresheners by releasing their fragrances.

    Eat

    '''Liver''' (''ci?er'') is a definitely must-try for non-vegetarians. It is prepared in a unique local way (whole pieces, not puree, of liver are fried inside a cauldron full of boiling vegetable oil) and served with an infernally hot dried pepper. If you are one of those who don_ft like liver because of its distinct smell, you can be pretty sure you won_ft sense it in Edirne liver. Best to be eaten with ''ayran'', a salty yogurt drink _ecoz it_fs one of two things (the other is bread, which fortunately is served free of charge at liver restaurants) that can suppress the fire the dried pepper leaves on your palate. There are lots of liver-only restaurants (''ci?erci'') in downtown, especially in the street behind the Old Mosque (''Eski Cami''). They also order other meals from nearby restaurants for those who are with you and do not want to eat liver.

  • Ci?erci Kemal. lipa?a Orta Kap? Cad. no: 3. 90 284 213 64 75. ttp://www.edirnecigercisikemal.com/index.html. rom 5 TL. Local fried liver restaurant.

    '''Almond paste''' (''badem ezmesi'') is a local, soft cookie-like dessert which is made of bitter almond.

    Drink

    Compared with most cities of its size in Turkey, Edirne is full of birahanes (pubs) and restaurants that serve alcohol. There are some particuarly nice ones by the river on the road to Karaagac.

  • There is an open-air '''cafe''' (''Sera Cafe'') amidst a beautifully landscaped park in front of Selimiye where you can have a cup of tea or coffee and watch the city.
  • Sleep

    Tourism in Edirne is on the rise and hotel scene is improving with many nice hotels to stay.

  • Efe Hotel. aarif Cad. no: 13. n city centre. 90 284 213 61 66. 90 284 60 80. ttp://www.efehotel.com/efehotel_mainpage.html. S$ 80 (single rooms) - US$ 110 (double rooms). Rooms with air conditioner, satellite TV, hot water, and free of charge wireless internet access.

  • Hotel ?aban Ac?kgoz. ilingirler Cad. no: 9. 90 284 213 03 13. otelacikgoz@acikgoz.com. 90 284 214 50 06. ttp://www.acikgoz.com/web/tr/hotel-saban-acikgoz/anasayfa.php. Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioner, and TV.

    Stay safe

    Avoid hanging around the banks of Tundza and Maritsa Rivers and Karaa?ac before/during/after a heavy rainfall, especially in wintertime. Although the downtown is never effected, these areas tend to have a '''heavy flood''' during such a time (last one happened in 2006), mainly because of overflowing of dams located upriver in Bulgaria. So if you are in Edirne in winter and plan to visit the aforementioned locations (which you should), stay ahead of weather forecasts. If you see a water rise in the river, be suspicious, call and inform police (telephone number: 155), and quickly go to somewhere far from and higher than riverbed as much as possible. The buildings themselves in Karaa?ac are rarely or lightly effected, but the problem is that the quarter is cut off from the rest of the world as the bridges which connect it to downtown Edirne sink underwater. If you are trapped in such a situation, be sure about your distance to the river and wait for evacuation crews. Because effected areas are generally same in each flood, they are quick to respond with their boats and gear.

    Contact

    City_fs telephone code is '''284''' (+90 284 when calling from out of Turkey).

    Get out

  • Enez on the shore of Aegean Sea is a popular town among the Edirneans to spend the summer.
  • Tekirda? to the south on the coast of the Sea of Marmara, then on to Istanbul if you have just arrived in Turkey from Europe.
  • Or taking a more southernly route towards Canakkale via Gallipoli and from there on to Aegean Turkey.