Kırklareli: Monument, Bazaar and Early History

Kırklareli reveals itself through several historical themes: the city has a marble memorial monument and a mosque in the bazaar; south of the center, the Aşağı Pınar archaeological site tells the story of very early farming settlements. These different focal points can help you plan your trip. You can focus on the city center and its buildings, or take in the archaeological past in the surrounding area. When choosing a holiday apartment, the first question is therefore which aspect of Kırklareli you want to shape your stay: urban history, religious architecture or early settlement history.

Aşağı Pınar: Early Settlement History

The Aşağı Pınar archaeological site lies just south of Kırklareli city center. Excavations there uncovered traces of the region’s oldest farming communities, dating back about 8,200 years. The settlement existed continuously for approximately 2,000 years and was abandoned about 6,200 years ago. The three dates answer different questions: the age of the traces points to early farming life, the duration describes the continuity of the settlement, and its abandonment marks the end of this period of settlement. Aşağı Pınar is therefore a tangible point of reference for anyone interested in the region’s distant past. The site complements the urban themes with an archaeological focus in the surrounding area.

Kırk Şehitler: Monument and Remembrance

The Kırk Şehitler Monument stands in Kocahıdır Mahallesi. It was built in 1960 by the Kırklareli İmar Derneği, which was founded in 1952. The monument commemorates forty Akıncı who were killed by the Byzantines in the spring of 1363, during the conquest of Kırklareli by Turkish troops under the command of Demirtaş Paşa. Its design combines clear geometry with its commemorative purpose: it takes the form of an open-air modern mausoleum, with a rectangular ground plan, 40 marble columns and marble cladding throughout. The number forty appears twice: in the marble columns and in the number of Akıncı commemorated by the monument. The year it was built and the event it commemorates belong to different periods: 1960 marks its construction, while the spring of 1363 marks the historical event. For travelers interested in architecture and history, the monument offers a clear point of reference, explored through both its marble design and the specific history it commemorates.

A Mosque in the Bazaar

The Hızırbey Mosque is in the center of Kırklareli, within the bazaar. Its location differs from that of the archaeological site south of the center: the mosque is part of the central bazaar area, while Aşağı Pınar lies in the surrounding area. This distinction in location helps keep the historical points of interest from being conflated into a single attraction. If you want to focus on the city center, the bazaar and its mosque offer a tangible point of reference.

Railway Line and Passenger Services

A railway line branches off from the Istanbul–Edirne line at Büyükmandıra and extends to Kırklareli city center. It is not currently used for passenger services. Do not plan to use this line for passenger travel, and check the current railway status before your trip. The distinction between an existing line and a passenger service is important when planning your journey: the connection described indicates the route of the railway line, not a currently usable train service.

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