What to See in Edirne
Turkey is a huge country, and that means there are countless places to go and things to see. If you head to Istanbul, you’re going to be overwhelmed with activities to enjoy and history to immerse yourself in, but if you continue your journey further north-west, heading towards the border with Bulgaria, you will come across another historic hotspot – Edirne.
Edirne is famous for its 16th century mosque, named Selimiye Mosque, which was designed and built by a hugely respected and famous architect named Mimar Sinan. Sinan was famous for many of Istanbul’s mosques, and this particular one is considered to be a classic of the ottoman age, with a huge dome, and then four surrounding minarets reaching high into the sky. Inside the mosque’s walls and complex you will find the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, which is a very interesting spot to visit, showing displays of religious art and other artefacts.
Edirne actually used to be the capital of the Ottoman Empire for a short while, prior to the mantle being passed to Istanbul, and the rich Ottoman-inspired history is still evident everywhere you look. The nature around this part of the country is also sublime.
So, apart from Selimiye Mosque, which is certainly the number one place to visit, where else should you have on your short list?
Arcadia Vineyards
The lush and fertile land around this area is perfect for wine production, and Arcadia Vineyards are one of the most well known. You can visit this area and learn about how wine is made, as well as wandering around the beautifully natural landscape, and taking plentiful photos as you go.
Grand Synagogue of Edirne
The great thing about Turkey is that it is so diverse and inclusive, and Edirne is home to the Grand Synagogue, dating back to 1906. The city was once home to a large population of Sephardic Jews, and the synagogue was built in their honour. The architecture is really beautiful, and this is a great place to visit whilst you’re in the city.
Kaleici
The old part of Edirne is packed with old buildings, and many of them are made of timber to this very day! Kaleici is located in this old section of the city and you will find houses which go as far back as the 18th century in this very design. Some of them have remained in their former state, and some have been restored to last well into the future. This is a must visit for historic architecture fans.
Museum of Health
The ground this museum sits on was the former Ottoman Empire of the time, and now shows us how healthcare has changed since back in the day! You’ll find displays of old and Islamic medicine methods, and overall, this is a great way to spend an hour or so.
Uc Serefeli Mosque
This is another large and important mosque in Edirne, and one which was commissioned between 1437 and 1447. The overall building is really quite breath-taking, and it has three balconies on the outside, which sit within the tallest of the minarets. This is what gives the mosque it’s name.
This is by no means and exhaustive list of things to see and do in Edirne, and a city as historic as this has many other hotspots to visit too. To give you a quick overview, and to whet your appetite for everything this beautiful city has to offer, these sights should be first on your list. You could also combine your trip to Edirne with a few days in Istanbul, as the two cities are easily linked via road. If you do this, you’ll have a seriously historical break to remember!
