“The second crowned jewel of the Ottoman Empire,
The gateway city of imperial glory.”
City Introduction：
Edirne is located in northwestern Turkey, bordering Greece and Bulgaria. It was the second capital of the Ottoman Empire (1365–1453). Before the conquest of Constantinople (now Istanbul), it served as the political, cultural, and military center of the empire. Its ancient name was Adrianople, built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Situated at the confluence of the Maritsa, Tunca, and Arda rivers, it is an important gateway from Europe to Istanbul. To this day, it retains a strong Ottoman atmosphere and a spirit of multicultural heritage.
Top Attractions：
🕌 Selimiye Mosque
Built in 1575 by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Selim II, it is regarded as the pinnacle of Ottoman religious architecture and is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. Its 260 windows allow soft and bright light to fill the interior. The dome has a diameter of 31.28 meters and a height of 43.28 meters, breaking the technical limits of architecture at that time. Master Sinan proudly stated that this was “the most perfect work of my life.” It is said that he was inspired by a dream in which he saw a giant eagle spreading its wings over the entire city, and thus conceived the magnificent dome that extends like wings.
🏛 Eski Camii & Üç Şerefeli Camii
The Old Mosque (Eski Camii), built in the early 15th century, is striking for its massive Arabic calligraphy wall decorations inside.
The Üç Şerefeli Mosque is famous for its minaret with three balconies, which is extremely rare in Ottoman architecture. It is said that the three balconies represent “faith, knowledge, and compassion,” and only those who possess all three can ascend to the top and overlook the entire city.🏇 Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling
This is one of the oldest sporting events in the world and has been listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. With a history of more than 660 years, it is Edirne’s grandest annual celebration. The competitors are called Pehlivan (wrestling warriors). They compete bare-chested, wearing thick water buffalo leather trousers called Kispet, and cover their bodies with olive oil before entering the grass arena. The oil makes gripping extremely difficult, so the wrestlers must rely on skill, strength, and endurance to throw or control their opponent. Victory is achieved when the opponent’s back or shoulders touch the ground.
📖 According to legend, in the 14th century, Ottoman soldiers stationed near Edirne held wrestling matches for entertainment during their campaign. Two equally matched warriors wrestled from day until deep into the night without a decisive result, and eventually both died of exhaustion. Their comrades buried them together in the grassland. The following spring, the field was covered with wildflowers, and people began holding annual commemorative wrestling matches there, which gradually evolved into today’s Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival.
During the festival, the city is filled with celebration. Colorful flags hang along the streets, drummers and zurna players perform battle tunes outside the wrestling field, and the shouts and chants of spectators rise one after another. The three-day competition is not only a contest of strength and skill, but also a symbol of honor and tradition. The champion receives a heavy solid gold belt and is honored as the “King of the Year.”
