Edirne

For our weekend group excursion we went as a group to Edirne, Adrianople in Greek, which is located in the European part of Turkey just a few miles from both the Greek and Bulgarian boarders.  Before the conquest of Constantinople Edirne served as the Ottoman capital for almost 100 years.  Consequently, it contains many beautiful examples of early Ottoman architecture.

Medical College and Hospital

We visited an Ottoman medical school and hospital complex that was as forward thinking as it was beautiful.  

Both physically and mentally ill patients were housed and cared for in a purposefully soothing setting.  There was a fountain in the middle to provide calming background noise and musicians were employed to play music for the patients several times a week.  Patients also benefited from medicines created at the hospitals pharmacy and occupational therapy if necessary.

Ottoman medical experimentation

Turkish museums often feature elaborate reconstructions featuring mannequins.  The Edirne medical museum was no exception.  To its credit, the displays at this museum were much less creepy than some of the others I have seen and depicted usual scenes such as animal experiments and mentally ill patients.

The complex also contains a lovely mosque.  Edirne is most well known for its architecture, especially its uniquely beautiful mosques.

Selimiye Cami

Inside Selimiye Camii

Inside Selimiye Camii

Selimiye Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in all of Turkey.  It was comissioned by Sultan Selime II, hence the name Selimiye, in 1569.  The architect of the mosque was Mimar Sinan and it is considered his crowing achievement.  Sinan is better known for the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, but I agree that Selimiye mosque is the more interesting of the two.  Maybe it was because there were fewer tourists, but the Selimiye mosque felt more peaceful and balanced inside than the Blue Mosque.  The space is huge but does not feel overwhelming.  The details and tile work in the mosque is absolutely gorgeous.

Inside Eski Cami, a man prays in front of the word Allah

Piece from the black stone in the Ka'aba in Mecca displayed in Eski Cami

Edirne's Eski Cami or Old Mosque has some very unusual and strikingly modern looking decor.  Built between 1403 and 1414, both the interior and exterior walls of the Old Mosque are covered with enormous examples of Arabic calligraphy.

One of the three unique minarets of the Üç Şerefeli  Camii

Stained glass and tile work at the front of the Üç Şerefeli Camii

The last of the four mosques we visited is called Uc Serefeli Cami or the Mosque of the Three Balconies.  It has three minarets, each of a different design.  The interior beautiful tiles and stained glass.

Legends of Oil Wrestling

Sweet Oil Wrestling moves

Edirne is the capital of Turkish Oil Wrestling, a sport that has origins that date back thousands of years.  We unfortunately just missed the annual festival, but we did see the stadium and various statues depicting wrestlers.  And, most importantly, I got a sweet T-shirt with oil wrestlers in action on it.