Gallipoli

peninsula

124km

Istanbul

largest city in Turkey

271km

Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen (Edirne)

385m

Selimiye Mosque

That mosque which dominates the skyline of the city, built on a slightly higher hill than its surroundings, although a play on dimensions makes the exterior sight of the building smaller as you get closer to it. A grandiose piece of art by Mimar Sinan, the Ottoman architect of 16th century, Selimiye is usually considered the zenith of Ottoman architecture and has been listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2011. Sinan himself considered this building as his best work. The dome of the building, which hangs high over main hall, encloses a huge space which gives the place an expansive atmosphere, had the largest diameter (31.28 m) of all domes in the world for several centuries. And its minarets (towers) are the second highest minarets (70.89 m) in the world, surpassed only by Qutb Minar (72.50 m) in Delhi, India. The mosque has 999 windows, which according to its architect, Sinan, symbolize the perfectness of God, through the imperfectness of the mosque he designed. The dome and interior walls are decorated with calligraphy and geometrical designs, most of which are painted in hues of pink and blue. If you have admired Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) of Istanbul, you’ll adore this one, since Blue Mosque is quite a copy of Selimiye. The upside down tulips, which are some sort of symbol of Edirne have their origin in a tulip illustration engraved on a marble in the fountain right under the central dome of Selimiye. It is believed to symbolize the landlord of the tulip garden on which the mosque was built, who was said to be reluctant to give over his garden.

1.2km

Muradiye Mosque, Edirne

1.3km

Old Mosque, Edirne

The smallest—and the oldest—one of three nearby, imperial mosques in downtown Edirne is known for its calligraphic inscriptions on its interior walls with a small central dome atop.

1.5km

Üç Şerefeli Mosque

This mosque is easily recognizable, having four distinctive minarets that all have very different designs, uncommon during the 15th century, one of which has three balconies, giving it its name which literally means "three balconied". Long undergoing restoration, interior of the mosque, which features a colourfully decorated central dome, smaller surrounding domes of varying sizes each featuring a different colour pattern, and very stately columns supporting them, has recently been re-opened to visits. Visiting this colourful mosque is a joyful experience.

1.7km

Complex of Sultan Bayezid II Health Museum

This museum, which was awarded “European Museum of the Year” in early 2000s, was essentially a mental institution used during Ottoman times, part of Beyazıt Complex (Beyazıt Külliyesi). It was notable for its progressive or alternative approach towards its patients. Instead of locking them into cells with shackles, which was widespread during that time, methods such as meditative music or flower gardens were tried in this institution. Today, many Ottoman miniatures from medical schoolbooks and elsewhere and models of patients are among the displayed.

3.0km

East Thrace

geographic region

98km

Strandzha

mountain range

119km

ANZAC Cove

123km

Lone Pine Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery

124km

Çanakkale

city in Turkey

128km

Kilitbahir

village in Marmara Region, Turkey

129km

Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial

141km

Helles Memorial

142km