Rich in historical significance, Edirne saw the best and the worst times of the Roman Empire. At one time named Hadrianopolis after Emperor Hadrian, under whose reign the empire reached the farthest, the city was also the scene of the empire's worst military disaster when the Emperor Valens and all his troops were slaughtered by barbarian invaders. Its past has left the city with a heritage of cobblestone streets, outdoor shops, wooden houses and an eastern European feel.
The main reason to visit Edirne, however, is to see the Selimiye, a mosque that represents the best work of the finest Ottoman Turkish architect, Sinan—it's a true masterpiece. The Uc Serefeli Mosque and the Eski Mosque are also worth seeing. If you're in the area in late June or early July, don't miss the Kirkpinar Wrestling Festival. In this tournament, the combatants are doused with olive oil, making it much more difficult to grapple one another. It may sound silly, but it's no joke: Oil wrestling is a distinctly Turkish sport that began more than 600 years ago. The festival has a fun atmosphere, too. You'll see Gypsies camped out around the stadium and vendors selling everything from refrigerators to hand-painted ceramics. Plan one night in Edirne, two or three if you're visiting for the wrestling festival. 145 mi/235 km west of Istanbul (near the border with Bulgaria and Greece).