The History of Edirne
Turkey is a country which is so packed with history that it is impossible to learn it all. From the Romans to the Greeks, the famous Ottoman Empire, to the Turkey we know today, this is a country which is so rich in whispers of the past, that learning at least something about it is something everyone should attempt to do.
Most people focus solely on Istanbul when it comes to a Turkish history lesson, and whilst there is no doubt that the former Constantinople is certainly a city which has more history than most countries do, it isn’t the only notable place in Turkey. Edirne is certainly a city which will rival Istanbul’s history, and was actually the capital of the Ottoman Empire, before Istanbul took over.
Let’s check out a little more about Edirne’s window to the past.
Edirne’s Rich History
Records of Edirne’s past dates back to around the 2nd century AD. Of course, there was life before that point, but this is when the really interesting stuff happened! At this time, Hadrian, the Roman Emperor, founded the city and called it Hadrianopolis, obviously after himself. The city was decorated with many statues and monuments, and it was a thriving and beautiful place. At this time, would-be Edirne was the capital of the Thrace Province, and over time there were many bloody battles to take it over, simply becuase of its location.
Edirne is located in north-west Turkey, around three hours away from what is now Istanbul, and very close to the border with Bulgaria. The land is rich and fertile, and Edirne sat in a very prized position for big leaders of the time.
During the Medieval Era, Edirne was conquered by Khan Krum from Bulgaria, who decided to claim the city for Bulgaria itself. As the Ottoman Empire began to rampage across the region, growing in power, the city was taken back into Turkey, in 1369. The city was then named Edirne, and was actually claimed as the capital of the Ottoman Empire. This title lasted until 1453, for around 90 years, until Mehmed II decided to move the capital to Constantinople, now Istanbul, in 1453, after a successful siege.
Although Edirne was no longer the capital, it still remained high in importance, and became a military base, with sultans regularly visiting the city due to this fact. The constant toing and froing of royalty and leaders between Constantinople and Edirne kept the city high on the map, and Mustafa II even decided to live there, rather than relocate to what is now Istanbul.
A series of natural disasters between 1745 and 1761 hit Edirne badly, and as it lost some of its power, the Russians were able to successfully take control of the city in 1829. The city subsequently returned to Ottoman power, but it never really regained its power of its golden days.
Edirne in The Present Day
Many visitors still visit Edirne today, and it is considered one of the most historic cities in the country. The road links between Istanbul and Edirne have improved with leaps and bounds, and you can now reach the city by road in less than three hours. Many visitors head to Edirne to enjoy the stunning architecture, including the majestic Selimiye Mosque, and the many historic bridges to enjoy. Of course, the natural landscape around Edirne is also a huge pull, and there are many fertile lands which make for great wine making conditions! You can check out a vineyard or two, and basically escape the hustle and bustle of big city life with ease in this part of the country.
