Preface

Edirne is a crucial border and cultural city today, located in the Thrace region of Turkey. One of the three historical capitals of the Ottoman Empire (the others are Istanbul and Bursa), Edirne is a living museum city with rich monumental and architectural artifacts. Edirne is a vibrant city of historical value where civilizations have concentrated throughout the ages, and one of the unique cities where the art of architecture reaches its peak. And yet, unfortunately, when we see the glow of the architecture at its best, worth so many treasures emerging from the rubbles of a collapsing empire, it is impossible for us not to be overwhelmed by sorrows. Selimiye Mosque as a masterpiece from Sinan, Old Mosque from the fifteenth-century, Üç Şerefeli Mosque, Sultan Beyazid II Mosque, complexes, imarets (public soup kitchens), Dar al-Shifa (medical center), hans (public inns), baths, bridges, caravanserais, and many others are not only the most advanced and refined examples of Ottoman-Islamic art but also unique elements of world cultural heritage.

While explaining the architectural and social characteristics of Edirne, which are mainly remaining from the Ottoman period, I also aimed to understand the city as a whole by approaching the past with a historical perspective through works from all periods of the city simultaneously. The end of the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20 ^th century and its effects in Edirne itself, together with all political, social, and concrete events, show how vital the said plateau is for the history and culture of Turkey. Another purpose of the book is to understand and explain this original city and region in detail.

The brief history of the city's neighborhoods, the construction dates of the architectural works, their architectural characteristics, the physical and functional changes they have undergone, their socio-cultural backgrounds, and their aesthetic values are discussed in terms of architectural design and planning backgrounds.

The book will be a reference for urban history, cultural heritage, and future studies for conservation and design planning. I also hope that the work "Architectural Heritage in the Former Ottoman Capital Edirne" will be considered an ideal resource for studies in the fields of architecture, art history, architectural history, fine arts, humanities and social sciences, and others related to design.