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6 places to visit in the Pınarhisar district of Kırklareli: Pınarhisar Castle, Pınarhisar Subasar Forests and Historic Fountains. Plan your trip to Pınarhisar with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Pınarhisar is a district of Kırklareli province with an area of 518 km². The average altitude of the district centre above sea level is 195 metres.

History

Pınarhisar, one of Kırklareli’s historic towns, was taken from the Byzantines in 1368 under Murad I by Gazi Mihal. In 1953, during the mayoralty of Ali Özer, it attained its present status as a district.

Geography and Economy

Pınarhisar borders the central district of Kırklareli to the west, Vize to the east, Demirköy to the north and Lüleburgaz to the south. In the district centre the economy is mainly industry and agriculture, while livestock farming is carried out in the villages.

Notable Projects

As part of the “Galaksiye Mesajımız” (Our Message to the Galaxy) campaign, a caricature was drawn on 11 square kilometres of land under the leadership of the caricaturist Erdil Yaşaroğlu.

History and Culture

Pınarhisar was taken from the Byzantines in 1368 under Murad I by Gazi Mihal. The district became a municipality in 1909; its first mayor was Mehmet Ağa. In 1953, during the mayoralty of Ali Özer, it attained its present status as a district. The district lies on the route of the campaign road used by Suleiman the Magnificent during his 1st Vienna Campaign.

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Places to Visit in Pınarhisar

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Religious
  • 1 Nature
  • 1 Other
Ancient City

Pınarhisar Castle

The remains of a Byzantine-period castle are scattered across the district. The castle, which consists of three sections, was built by the Byzantines.

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Nature

Pınarhisar Subasar Forests

The flood-plain (longoz) forest remnants around the district form one of Thrace's rare ecosystems. Oak and ash trees with trunks rising from the water create an impressive natural landscape.

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Historic

Historic Fountains

Ottoman-period fountains in the district centre and villages stand out for their stonework and inscriptions. Pınarhisar takes its name from the springs in the area.

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Religious

Pınarhisar Sadık Ağa Mosque

A square-plan mosque with a concrete dome and a half-timbered structure, open for worship.

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Religious

Pınarhisar Hundi Hatun Mosque (Cami-i Kebir)

The mihrab, minbar and preacher's pulpit are covered with ceramic tiles dominated by turquoise, dark blue and red.

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Other

Pınarhisar land caricature

According to the source, this land caricature drawn in the district broke a Guinness record at 10,952,050 m².

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Places to Visit Around Kırklareli Province

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While you are in Pınarhisar, you can also see the highlights of Kırklareli province. These places are in other districts; Pınarhisar is about 20 km from the provincial centre.

  • İğneada Longoz Forests National Park — A 3,155-hectare national park established in 2007 in the town of İğneada in Demirköy, on the Bulgarian border.
  • Dupnisa Cave — A two-storey cave system with three entrances and a total length of 3,150 metres, near the village of Sarpdere in Demirköy; it is the only cave in Thrace opened to tourism.
  • Gazi Süleyman Paşa Mosque (Little Hagia Sophia) — A building at Vize that was built as a basilica in the 6th century in the time of Justinian and converted into a mosque in the 15th century; its architecture is likened to Hagia Sophia and Hagia Irene in Istanbul.
  • Sokollu Mehmed Paşa Complex — A way-station (menzil) complex at Lüleburgaz built by Mimar Sinan for Sokollu Mehmed Paşa in 1569–1570, made up of a mosque, madrasa, caravanserai, arasta and prayer dome.
  • Hızırbey Complex and Arasta — A complex in the centre of Kırklareli, built by Köse Mihalzade Hızır Bey in 1383–1384 and made up of a mosque, hammam and arasta; the arasta is still used as a bazaar today.
  • Kırklareli Museum — A museum opened in 1993 in the former town hall, built in the late 19th century.

Practical Information for Visiting Pınarhisar

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer (May–September)
Places to visit
6 places

What to Eat in Pınarhisar

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  • Trakya Usulü Kelle Paça (Thracian-style head and trotter soup)

    Soup made by simmering sheep's head and trotters for a long time. In Pınarhisar it is eaten for breakfast, especially in winter.

  • Peynirli Pide (cheese pide)

    Pide made with plenty of Thracian white cheese, the most popular product of Pınarhisar's bakeries.

  • Süt Helvası (milk halva)

    A traditional dessert made with milk, flour and sugar, prepared in Pınarhisar for feast days and special occasions.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Pınarhisar

  • Spring Culture

    The district takes its name from the natural springs in the area. A settlement culture developed around water sources, the tradition of building fountains and folk beliefs about water form the cultural identity of Pınarhisar.

  • Balkan Migrant Culture

    Migrants arriving from the Balkans after the 93 Harbi (Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78) and the Balkan Wars shaped the demographic and cultural structure of Pınarhisar. Migrant cuisine and traditions are still kept alive.

Local Products

  • Pınarhisar Beyaz Peyniri (Pınarhisar white cheese) — White cheese produced from the rich milk sources of Thrace, the best-known local product of Pınarhisar.
  • Bal (honey) — Honey made from flowers on the slopes of the Yıldız Mountains stands out among the district's natural products.

Economy

Pınarhisar's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Sunflower, wheat and milk production are the main sources of income. Small-scale dairy processing facilities exist in the district. Its proximity to Kırklareli city centre supports the trade and service sectors.

How to Get to Pınarhisar

Pınarhisar is 20 km from Kırklareli city centre. Transport is by road. The Kırklareli–Vize highway passes through the district. Regular minibus services run.

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Pınarhisar: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Pınarhisar?

The 6 highlights of Pınarhisar are: Pınarhisar Castle, Pınarhisar Subasar Forests, Historic Fountains, Pınarhisar Sadık Ağa Mosque, Pınarhisar Hundi Hatun Mosque (Cami-i Kebir) and the Pınarhisar land caricature.

What is there to eat in Pınarhisar?

Trakya Usulü Kelle Paça, Peynirli Pide and Süt Helvası are the standout flavours on Pınarhisar's tables.

What is Pınarhisar famous for?

Pınarhisar is known for Pınarhisar Beyaz Peyniri and Spring Culture. White cheese produced from Thrace's rich milk sources is the district's best-known local product.

How do I get to Pınarhisar?

Pınarhisar is 20 km from Kırklareli city centre. Transport is by road. The Kırklareli–Vize highway passes through the district. Regular minibus services run.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Pınarhisar?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (May–September).

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