Keşan  

Keşan (Edirne), Türkiye

Keşan, situated within the Edirne district, ranks as the sixth largest settlement area in Turkish Thrace, following Çorlu, Tekirdağ, Çerkezköy, Edirne, and Lüleburgaz. Bordered by İpsala and Uzunköprü to the north, Tekirdağ's Malkara to the east, Tekirdağ's Şarköy to the southeast, Çanakkale's Gelibolu to the south, and the Enez districts along with the Aegean Sea to the southwest, Keşan boasts a rich historical lineage dating back to the 30th century BC when Luwian and Thracian civilizations laid its foundations. It subsequently saw rule by ancient Greek, Persian, Macedonian, and Byzantine powers before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the latter half of the 14th century.

During the Ottoman era, Keşan served as a township in the İpsala district of the Gallipoli Sanjak, falling under the Rumelian and Kaptanpaşa provinces and, eventually, the Edirne province. According to the 1892 yearbook compiled by Şevket Dağdeviren, the Manager of the Edirne Provincial Printing House, the Keşan district was affiliated with the Gallipoli Sanjak, boasting a total population of 10,447 residents residing in 55 villages, farms, and 9 neighborhoods, within 3,667 households. The population included 2,140 Muslims, 7,155 Greeks, 909 Bulgarians, and 233 gypsies. Keşan had 5 official buildings along Gelibolu Street, including the government office, as well as 6 police stations in total, with 1 each on İbrice Pier, Malkara Street, and 4 on Koru Mountain. The town featured 4 mosques, 4 masjids, 18 secondary schools, and 20 primary schools.

In Keşan, you could find the Grand Mosque built by Hersekzade Ahmet Pasha, the New Mosque constructed by Hacı Mehmet Ağa, the Orta Mosque founded by Behram Bey, and another mosque erected by Mehmet Esbat Bey. The district encompassed three townships named Paşayiğit, Grebene, and Suluca. Keşan lacked a hospital but offered 1 fountain, 15 fountains, 1 steam-powered flour factory, 32 windmills, 1 pottery, and 3 quarries.

Historically, Keşan was part of the Gallipoli Sanjak until 1877 when it was successively invaded by Russians, Bulgarians, and Greeks. Following the Mudanya Armistice Agreement of October 11, 1922, it became part of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on November 19, 1922. Keşan was initially connected to Edirne after the dissolution of the Gallipoli province in 1926, having been a district of Gallipoli between 1922 and 1926. Between 1877 and 1912, it was a district of the Dedeağaç Sanjak (now Alexandrupoli). The modern borders were established in 1953 after Dedeağaç was captured by the Bulgarians.

Geographically, Keşan is situated in the Thrace section of the Marmara Region and experiences the Mediterranean climate characteristic of the region. Covering an area of 1,087 km² and an altitude above sea level of 100 meters, Keşan's highest point is Hızırilyas (Hıdrellez) hill at 371 meters. The annual rainfall averages 550-600 mm, distributed as follows: Winter: 38%, Autumn: 27%, Spring: 22%, and Summer: 13%.

Keşan is marked by rapid urbanization, particularly in the Republican era and more recently over the past two decades. Cooperative and private development has driven this growth, positively influencing the socio-economic aspects of Keşan. The town comes alive daily, with a vibrant atmosphere, and especially on Saturdays during the weekly market.

The Saros coastline, along with resorts like Erikli, Yayla, Mecidiye, Enez, Gökçetepe, and Sazlıdere, offers summer tourism opportunities with its pristine sea and proximity. Saros Bay, known for its Grouper fish, is a popular spot for amateur fishermen. The bay is home to 144 fish species and 170 underwater creatures. It's one of the few bays in the world capable of self-purification. Additionally, it's suitable for scuba diving and trekking. Recreational facilities can be found at Gökçetepe and Danişment beaches, under the Ministry of Forestry and National Parks.

Edirne, located in the Thrace region of Turkey's Marmara Region, serves as a province with a population of 414,714. A significant portion of this population, 78.3%, resides in urban areas. The province covers an area of 6,145 km², with a population density of 68.28 people per km² (as of 2022). It comprises 9 districts, 16 municipalities, 95 neighborhoods within these municipalities, and 253 villages.

Geographically, Edirne is a flat province with no mountains, and its borders touch Kırklareli and Tekirdağ to the east, Çanakkale and the Aegean Sea to the south, Evros (Greece) to the west, and Hasköy (Bulgaria) to the north. The province features the Meriç River, which forms a significant portion of the Turkish-Greek border.

Edirne's climate becomes harsher as one moves from south to north. While the southern part, on the Aegean Sea coast, enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate, the northern part, where the city center is situated, experiences a continental climate with harsh winters.

In the realm of culture and education, Edirne is renowned for Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling, a tradition dating back to 1357 that draws both local and foreign tourists during the summer months. With the advent of the Republic, educational institutions in Edirne have seen significant development, with the province now being at the forefront of educational progress in Turkey. The literacy rate in Edirne has consistently exceeded the national average and stands at 99% due to recent educational initiatives. Trakya University, which educates around 39,696 students as of 2014, is also located in Edirne.

Edirne's folklore is marked by folk songs featuring a 9/8 rhythm, common not only in Edirne but also in other provinces of Thrace. The region's Roman melodies, embellished with unique local melodies, are a vital part of Edirne's folklore, especially in the context of local weddings.

Edirne boasts a wealth of historical buildings, better preserved than in many other Turkish cities. The city's attractions can be divided into two categories: those from the Roman-Byzantine period and those from the Ottoman-Turkish period. Prominent among these is the Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.