| The
Yildiz
(Istiranca)Mountains bisect the province of Kirklareli. Lush mountainos
landscape dotted with quaint houses transport yo to an idyllic and tranquil
reverie. In the city of Kirklareli the oldest mosque is the Hizirbey Mosque,
built in 1383. The mosque complex includes a bazaar. Nearby stands a hamam
(bath) also built under the patrýnage of Hizir Bey. The 14th century
Kirklar Memorial with its impressive 18 columns stands on Kirklar Hill
honoring the site where 40 soldiers lost their lives when the Ottomans
conquered this area under the command of Murat I. |
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| The
archaeology Museum exhibits finds from local excavations.
The
Sokullu Mosque in Luleburgaz, on the Edirne-Istanbul road, is an
exquisite work of Sinan that dates from 1570. The neighboring town of Babaeski
also
boasts a Sinan building in the Cedid Ali Pasa Mosque. |
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| Vize
(Byzia), an important Byzantine center, houses the Kucuk Ayasofya church
and a castle, both dating from the Byzantine period.
If
you are travelling north to Bulgaria, linger for a few hours in the peaceful
and green town of Derekoy, the last stop before the border.
Kirklareli's
Black Sea Coast is another place to enjoy beaches and good fish restaurants.
Igneada,
98 km. east of Kirklareli, lies sandwiched between sandy shores and the
Yildiz Mountains. Kiyikoy (Midye) is another holiday resort town
with good accommodation and picturesque dwellings from the Middle Ages.
The town and its walls date from the Byzantine period. The best site
to visit in Midye is the historic St. Nicholas Rock Monastery. |
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Also
on the Europen Black Sea coast, only 35km. from Istanbul, are the sandy
beches and hotels, motels and camping facilities of Kilyos.
Across
the Bosphorus, on the Asian shore, Sile's (71 km. from Istanbul)
long sandy beaches, overlooked by the remains of a Genoese Castle, attract
many visitors. The excellent restaurants and nightlife make it a popular
weekend retreat for Istanbul residents. Cotton blouses and shirts (Sile
Bezi) are sewn and embroidered here. |
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Originally
founded by a Polsh prince as a home for Polish
exciles, Polonozkey (25km from Istanbul) has been transformed into
a relaxing resort with guest houses and restaurants serving a delicious
selection of fresh local produce. Inland from the coast, the rolling hills
and peaceful woods make and wcellent area for horseback riding. |
| Agva
(50 km. east of Sile) on the banks of a river as well as on the shores
of the Black Sea, is surrounded by lovely scenery, ideal for a camping
holiday. Kerpe, Kefken and Karasu are three quaint
fishing villages east of Agva. Delightful restaurants and limpid water
draw a constant stream of visitors.
Inland,
between Ankara and Istanbul, is Bolu (262 km from Istanbul and 192
km from Ankara), an important provincial center with an impressive 14th-century
Ulu Mosque and modern thermal facilities close at hand. The Bolu Archaeology
and Ethnography Museum has artifacts from the Hittite, Roman, Byzantine,
Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Southwest of Bolu is the popular and relaxing
Lake Abant resort, set in lovely alpine surroundings at an altitude
of 1.500 meters. Istanbul dwellers often escape to the lake for a weekend
of fresh air and exercise.
In
the Koroglu Mountain
is Kartalkaya, one of Turkey's major
ski resorts. In the summer you can stop for a picnic at Golcuk Lake.
The breathtakingly beautiful
Yedi Goller (Seven Lakes) National Park
lies north of Bolu. nearby, the town of Mengen has a reputation
for its good cooks and holds the annual Chefs' Festival of in August. Featuring
traditional Turkish specialities.
The
sites around Konuralp (53 km. from Bolu) the ancient Prusa ad
Hypium continue to yield artifacts from both the Roman and Byzantine
periods, which are on display in the local museum. Among the ruins, the
Roman theatre is not to be missed.
Back
on the coast, the lovely beach ands comfortable quest houses and hotels
at Akcakoca ensure that it remins a popular holiday resort. Near
the town, you can explore the remains of a Genoese castle now set amid
hazelnut groves.
Alapli
is an ideal place for water sports, especially sailing and surfing. Long
sandy beaches stretch both east and west on both sides of the town. |
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