Kirklareli... Area : 6,550 km2; Population : 890,306 (1990); Traffic code : 39; Districts : Kirklareli (center), Babaeski, Demirköy, Kofçaz, Lüleburgaz, Pehlivanköy, Pinarhisar, Vize. Sites of interest : Limanköy, Igneada, Kiyiköy (Midye) and Çilingoz bays, Dupnisa cave, Incekoru and Kavakli Mese forest recreation areas, Vize Castle, Vize cave monastry, Midye Ayazma (Greek sacred fountain) and Monastry, Hizir Bey and Sokullu Mehmed Pasha Complexes, Kadi, Bayezid (Pasha), Kapan, Eski Cami, Cerit Ali Pasha and Gazi Süleyman Pasha mosques, Alpullu (Sinanli), Babaeski and Lüleburgaz (Sokullu Mehmed Pasha) bridges, Kadi, Kapan (Saliyeri), Kayimoðlu and German fountains, Zindan and Binoklu Hasan Baba mausoleums; Provincial Cultural Directorate : Tel : (288) 214 19 47, Fax : (288) 214 19 47; Museum : Kirklareli Museum, Address : Kirklareli, Tel : (288) 214 21 39; Significant Days : Local Days of Celebration : Nevruz Day, Kirklareli, 22 March, Hidrellez Day, Kirklareli Center and Districts, 6 May; Freedom from Occupation Days : Freedom Day - Vize, Vize, 1 November, Freedom Day - Lüleburgaz, Lüleburgaz, 8 November, Freedom Day - Babaeski, Babaeski, 9 November, Freedom Day - Pinarhisar, Pinarhisar, 9 November, Freedom Day - Büyük Mandra Town, Büyük Mandra, 9 November, Freedom Day - Kuleli Village, Kuleli Village, 9 November, Freedom Day - Alpullu District, Alpullu, 9 November, Freedom Day - Kirklareli, Kirklareli, 10 November, Freedom Day - Demirköy, Demirköy, 11 November, Freedom Day - Kofçaz, Kofçaz, 11 November, Freedom Day - Pehlivanköy, Pehlivanköy, 9 November; Festivals : Strawberry Festival, Demirköy, First week of July, Agricultural Festival, Babaeski, First week of June; Fairs : Autumn Animal and Goods Fair, Pehlivanköy, 18 - 22 September. Kirklareli is a province on the border with Bulgaria, on the west side of the Yildiz (Istranca) Mountains. Its written history goes back to Bronze Age and the province has witnessed many invasions throughout this long past. Kirklareli is a province of natural beauty, adorned with forests and plateaus. Derekoy, Kofcaz, Demirkoy and Vize are the most densely forested areas of the province. The land is suitable for hunting and fishing, in its forests and rivers. The Istranca Mountains offer opportunities also for camping and picnicking in a sea of forest. The sightseeing spots in Kirklareli are numerous.

It is architecturally rich, especially with fine monuments from Ottoman times. Cedit Ali Pasa Mosque, Hizirbey Mosque, Kadi Mosque, Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque and Beyazit Mosque, are several, in which you can observe different features of Turkish architecture. There is also a Turkish bath in the city, from 1683. For those who would like to make use of sandy beaches and clear waters, Igneada, Kiyikoy and Kastros are good, and have accommodation facilities. The Yildiz (Istranca) Mountains divide the province of Kirklareli. Lush mountainous landscape dotted with quaint houses transports you to an idyllic and tranquil frame of mind. The city of Kirklareli's oldest mosque, the Hizir Bey Mosque, was built in 1388. Nearby stands a hamam also built under Hizir Bey's patronage. The 14^th century Kirklar Memorial with its impressive 18 columns stands on Kirklar Hill honoring the site where 40 soldiers lost their lives when the Ottomans conquered this area under the command of Murat I. Kirklareli's Black Sea Coast is another place to enjoy beaches and good fish restaurants . Igneada, 98 km east of Kirklareli, lies squeezed between its sandy shores and the Yildiz Mountains. Kiyiköy is another holiday resort town with good accommodation. The Sokollu Mosque in Lüleburgaz, on the Edirne - Istanbul road, is an exquisite work of Sinan's that dates from 1570. The neighboring town of Babaeski also boasts a Sinan building in the Ali Pasha Mosque.