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Edirne is located at the south of Tekirdağ, the province between Turkey and Greece. The city had been the second capital of Ottoman Empire for years and in the 18th century had become one of the seven biggest cities of Europe.
As it was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago, there are numerous historical and architectural important structures in the province. Edirne is a living city - museum with its mosques, religious complexes, bridges, old bazaar places, caravanserais and palaces.
Apart from intriguing mosques and attractive palaces, there are many different sites to be visited in Edirne, all reflecting its rich past. Of the most important monuments in this ancient province, the Selimiye Mosque, was built during the16th century by Turkey's greatest architect, Mimar Sinan.
Carrying the name of the then-reigning sultan, this mosque magnificently represents Turkish marble craftsmanship and is covered in valuable tiles and fine paintings.
The Yildirim and the Eski Mosques, dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries respectively, are other spectacular sights, while the Muradiye and the Üç Serefeli Mosques are also among the oldest and most impressive buildings here. Last to be mentioned, but far from the least, is the Beyazit II Mosque, a great monument with its complex construction comprising the many facilities used in those times.
The most prominent palace of this town is the Edirne Palace, which was the ‘Palace of the Empire’ built during the reign of Murat II. There are the amazing caravansaries, like the Rustem Pasha and Ekmekcioglu Ahmet Pasha caravansaries, which were designed to host travelers in the 16th century.
Turkey's second-most important border on the European frontier, Ipsala, is the district center of Edirne province and it is a wildfowl fantasy visited by both Turkish and foreign sportsmen.
Edirne is also the center for oil-wrestling, which is the national sport of Turkey. On Kirkpinar Island, exciting tournaments are held every July in the forest between the rivers Tunca and Meric. These annual traditional events comprise many entertaining activities, and the province is filled with spectators.
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