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4 places to visit in the Meriç district of Edirne: Meriç River, Meriç Historic Bridge and Thrace Plains. Plan your trip to Meriç with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Meriç is a district of Edirne province. It takes its name from the Meriç River and consists of 2 towns and 21 villages. It has a 56 km land border with Greece; its natural boundaries are drawn by the Ergene River to the south-east and south, and by the Meriç River to the west and north.

History

The present-day district lands passed to the Ottomans in 1361. Until the Balkan Wars part of the district belonged to Sofulu and another part to Uzunköprü; in 1913 the district was established under the name Kavaklı. The settlement, known as Kavaklı until 25 November 1935, was renamed Meriç on that date.

Economy

The district’s people make their living from farming. The main products are rice, wheat, sunflowers, sugar beet and pulses, and livestock farming is also practised. The district has rice workshops and cheese-making workshops, and the traditional handicraft is basket-weaving.

History and Culture

The present-day district lands came under Ottoman rule in 1361. The district was established in 1913 under the name Kavaklı and in 1919 was attached to Uzunköprü county. In 1936 Büyük Doğanca village became the district centre.

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Places to Visit in Meriç

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 2 Nature
Meriç River - Meriç Photo: Styyx (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Nature

Meriç River

The river from which the district takes its name, forming its natural boundary to the west and north.

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Meriç Historic Bridge - Meriç Photo: Ahmet Usal from Edirne, Turkey (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Source
Historic

Meriç Historic Bridge

The historic bridge over the Meriç River was built as part of the region's transport infrastructure in the Ottoman period. Noted for its stonework, the bridge attracts interest as a photo spot with its river views.

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Nature

Thrace Plains

The flat Thrace plains surrounding the district are covered with sunflower and wheat fields. Especially in summer, the sunflower fields turn yellow and form the region's characteristic landscape.

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Religious

Meriç Central Mosque

The mosque in the town centre was built in a simple Ottoman architectural style. With its well-kept courtyard and fountain, it is the centre of the district's religious and social life.

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Places to Visit Around Edirne Province

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While you are in Meriç, you can also see the highlights of Edirne province. These places are in other districts; Meriç is about 55 km from the provincial centre.

  • Selimiye Mosque and Complex — Built by Mimar Sinan at the age of 80 for Selim II, begun in 1568 and opened for worship on 14 March 1575, the mosque is Sinan's 'masterpiece', with a dome more than 43 metres across and four 70.89-metre minarets with three balconies each.
  • Old Mosque (Eski Cami) — A nine-domed mosque begun by Süleyman Çelebi in 1403 and completed by Mehmed I in 1414; it is the first monumental building in Edirne to survive to the present day.
  • Üç Şerefeli Mosque — Built in the reign of Murad II, its plan with a courtyard and a broad dome is regarded as the forerunner of the classical Ottoman mosque.
  • Bayezid II Complex — A complex on the bank of the Tunca built by Mimar Hayreddin in 1484–1488, made up of a mosque, a darüşşifa (hospital), a medical madrasa, a soup kitchen and a hammam.
  • Edirne Health Museum — A museum in the darüşşifa (hospital) of the Bayezid II Complex that recreates the spaces where patients were treated with music, the sound of water and scents; it won the Council of Europe's European Museum Award in 2004.
  • Kırkpınar Wrestling Arena (Sarayiçi) — The wrestling arena at Sarayiçi where the Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival has been held since 1924. The winner of the three-day tournament, held every year in late June or early July, receives the title of 'başpehlivan' (chief wrestler).

Practical Information for Visiting Meriç

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer
Places to visit
4 places

What to Eat in Meriç

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  • Trakya Ciğer Tava (fried veal liver)

    Thinly sliced veal liver, coated in flour and fried in hot oil. The signature dish of the Edirne region, it is also served in Meriç's restaurants using the traditional recipe.

  • Çeltik Pilavı (rice pilaf)

    A pilaf made with rice from paddy grown on the Meriç plain, cooked in butter. The region's quality rice enhances the flavour of the pilaf.

  • Trakya Peynir Tatlısı (cheese dessert)

    A traditional dessert made by cooking fresh white cheese with sugar, specific to the Thrace region. In Meriç it is served on special days and holidays.

  • Cheese

    It is reported that there are cheese-making workshops in Meriç.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Meriç

  • Riverside Life

    The way of life shaped along the banks of the Meriç River forms the foundation of the district's cultural identity. Fishing, farming and daily life intertwined with the river have continued for centuries.

  • Migrant Communities

    Migrants who settled in the region during the Balkan Wars and the population exchange shaped Meriç's demographic and cultural make-up. The traditions of different Balkan communities are kept alive in the district.

Local Products

  • Meriç Kara Kavunu (Meriç black melon) — Meriç Kara Kavunu was registered as a protected designation of origin on 10 March 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 693). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Meriç Chamber of Agriculture.
  • Meriç Yer Fıstığı (Meriç peanut) — Meriç Yer Fıstığı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 29 September 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1232). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Meriç Chamber of Agriculture.

Economy

Meriç's economy is based on paddy rice farming, sunflower production and livestock farming. The fertile plains watered by the Meriç River form the basis of agricultural production. Small-scale rice processing facilities operate in the district.

How to Get to Meriç

Meriç is 55 km from Edirne city centre. It is reached by road via Edirne and Uzunköprü. Minibus services run from Edirne.

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Meriç: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Meriç?

The 4 highlights of Meriç are: Meriç River, Meriç Historic Bridge, Thrace Plains and Meriç Central Mosque.

What to eat in Meriç?

Trakya Ciğer Tava, Çeltik Pilavı, Trakya Peynir Tatlısı and cheese are the standout dishes on Meriç's tables.

What is Meriç famous for?

Meriç is known for Meriç Kara Kavunu and riverside life. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected designation of origin.

How do I get to Meriç?

Meriç is 55 km from Edirne city centre. It is reached by road via Edirne and Uzunköprü. Minibus services run from Edirne.

How much time should I set aside for a trip to Meriç?

Suggested trip length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer.

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