Edirne... |
Edirne is a gateway of Türkiye opening to western world, the first stopover for newcomers from Europe. Situated on the
Greek border, this beautiful city is famed for its many mosques, the elegant domes and minarets which dominate the
panoramic appearance of the province. One of the most important monuments in this ancient province is the Selimiye
Mosque, built in the 16th century by the greatest Türkiye's greatest architect, Mimar Sinan. Carrying the
name of the then reigning the Sultan, this mosque magnificently represents Turkish marble handicrafts and it is covered
with valuable tiles and fine paintings. The Yildirim Mosque and the Eski Mosque, dating back to the 14th and
15th centuries respectively, are other spectacular sights while the Muradiye Mosque and the Üç Serefeli Mosque
are also among the oldest and most impressive buildings. Last to be mentioned is the Beyazit II Mosque, a great monument
with its complex construction comprising many facilities used in those times. Besides the fascinating mosques, there are
different sites to be visited in Edirne, all reflecting its rich past. There are attractive palaces, the most prominent one
being 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. The lively bazaars of "Bedesten" and "Arasta" make the
province colorful bring back the ancient times. Several bridges exist which have stood for centuries, adorning the land
with their old but fine appearances. Ipsala, is a district center of Edirne province and it is Türkiye's second important
border gate, on the European frontier. It is a wildfowl paradise enjoyed by both Turkish and foreign sportsmen. A specialty
of Edirne is as a center for grease-wrestling, which is the national sport of Türkiye. Lively championships are held here
every July, on Kirkpinar island, a forested area between the Meric and Tunca rivers. These traditional occasions comprise
many entertaining activity, and the province is filled with spectators. The Mosque of Selimiye is the symbol of Edirne.
Sinan the architect built this Mosque which he defined as his master work succeeding the mosques of Sehzade and Süleymaniye
in Istanbul, for Selim the II, between the years 1569-1575.
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