Edirne

Situated at the verge of the Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish borders, Edirne is famous for its numerous mosques, minarets, and elegant domes which create the unique appearance of the province. Edirne was the capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1416 until Sutlan Mehmet II’s conquest of Istanbul in 1453. Besides the fascinating mosques, there are different sites to be seen in Edirne, all of them reflecting the town’s rich past. There are gorgeous palaces, the most prominent among which the Edirne Palace, which was the most important palace of the Ottoman Empire built during the reign of Sultan Murat II.

There are many startling caravansaries, or local inns, which were intended to host travelers in the 16th century. The lively bazaars and old bridges are another feature of Edirne’s landscape. The "Bedesten" and "Arasta" bazaars for instance give Edirne its colorfulness and remind of the ancient times of the Ottoman Empire. Different festivals and activities held annually in Edirne also help for the creation of the unique atmosphere of the town. Probably the most popular event in Edirne is the grease-wrestling, called in Turkish yagli güres, which is in fact the national sport of Turkey. Lively championships are held here every July, for more than 4 centuries. This is the time when the province is filled with the most spectators throughout the year.