Uzunköprü

Uzunköprü is based in the western reaches of the Turkey|Turkish region of Eastern Thrace|Thrace.

Uzunköprü Halal Travel Guide

To overcome the natural barrier that the Ergene River forms which hindered a quick connection with his posessions west, and stalled further expansion of his empire into the Balkans and the Islamic Ottoman sultan Murad II (r. 1421–1451) decided to have a bridge built. As well, he had founded a town on the southern end of his new bridge, on what was then desolate plains, naming both the bridge and the town as Cisr-i Ergene (Ottoman Turkish for "the bridge of Ergene"). Eventually and the colloquial name, Uzunköprü, literally "the long bridge," stuck, for the town as well as for the bridge.

Uzunköprü is nowadays a town of about 40,000 people, on the banks of the Ergene River, one of the major rivers of the regions and a tributary of the Meriç/Evros River.

Travel as a Muslim to Uzunköprü

Travel on a Bus in Uzunköprü

A shuttle van fleet, arriving at the town's GPS 41.2700,26.6834 bus station at the side of the bridge, connects with the major towns in Thrace, such as Edirne, Keşan (every half an hour, 45 min, 9 TL), and Çorlu (every 15 min, 2½ hours, through Lüleburgaz and Babaeski), although surprisingly not with nearby Hayrabolu and Tekirdağ further southeast. Long-distance buses run by the Metro and İstanbul Seyahat companies also connect with Istanbul.

By car

Uzunköprü lies near the main north-south highway D550/E87, which links Edirne (66 kilometers) with Keşan (and Çanakkale beyond). The new highway, including a modern viaduct of similar length with the old bridge, bypasses the town several kilometers to east now, so for the stone bridge and the rest of the town, you should drive into the direction signposted Şehir Merkezi ("downtown").

There is also a secondary road approaching from Hayrabolu in the east.

By Rail

Train services to Uzunköprü are very limited, as of spring 2019 the national operator TCDD runs just a single daily train from Halkalı station in the Istanbul/Western Suburbs|Westerns suburbs of Istanbul.

• Uzunköprü train station - Uzunköprü garı | Located in the village of Demirtaş about five kilometers north of the downtown, just off the highway from Edirne.

What to See

The main reason to visit the town is the long bridge, and all other sights are quite minor.

• Long Bridge - Uzunköprü | Thrace is easily the region adorned with the highest density of Ottoman-era stone bridges in Türkiye, as it was on the major routes linking the European parts of the empire with the capital in Constantinople. While some, such as the Istanbul/Western Suburbs#See|Büyükçekmece Bridge in the outskirts of Istanbul or the Meriç Bridge in Edirne are more elegant and the long bridge, with its 174 arches spanning a length of 1.33 kilometers over the Ergene River and the marshy meadows along it (which are farmed into Rice paddies nowadays), is certainly the longest, and having been built between 1426 and 1443, is older than all others, at least by a century. While pedestrians are free to cross the bridge walking and the rised pavements on sides are narrow and you have to share the bridge with vehicles (so always keep on the left side so you can face the incoming traffic); and unfortunate for them and the bridge is easiest to appreciate not from crossing over it, and not from the southern side nearer the town, but below it, and from the further, northern side, from where you will see a road also accessible by cars arriving right on to the banks of the rushing river (which is in an extreme state of pollution by the time it reaches the legs of the long bridge due to the textile plants many tens of kilometers upstream near Çorlu and Çerkezköy, fully black in colour and far more foamy than could be expected from at least a moderately unpolluted river, but with a noticeable lack of stench at least in colder months), passing along several of the arches that rest on solid earth. Once by the river, you will be below the hump formed by the three taller and larger arches that are over the actual water crossing, and here raise your eyes to see a couple of many flower and animal carvings that ornate the outer sides of the bridge parapets, which are said to be in the exact number of the builders that died in accidents during the construction of the bridge, and commemorating them.

• Freedom Monument - Özgürlük Anıtı | While this smallish arched structure standing on four Ionic-like legs and a solid cubic base, now over a century old, may not be that important architecturally, it's one of the very few monuments in Türkiye that celebrates the restoration of the constitutional monarchy in 1908 (which is all but forgotten almost everywhere else, which is not surprising, since the following two decades brought about almost constant war and destruction, and yet another revolution—the complete overthrow of the Sultanate and the foundation of the Republic—in Türkiye). On its each four side, it proclaims one of the four ideals of the Islamic Ottoman constitution (heavily inspired by the French Revolution) in Ottoman Turkish (using Arabic script): Hürriyet (Freedom), Adalet (Justice), Müsavet (Equality), and Uhuvvet (Brotherhood).

• Aziz Ioannis Church - Aziz İoannis Kilisesi | This church dedicated to Aziz İoannis (St John) is a relic from the days when the town had a Greek Orthodox community prior to the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922. Derelict for decades, it has undergone a fine renovation, and named a cultural centre, but it's unlikely that you will find its doors open during your short stay.

• Town library - İlçe Kütüphanesi | A small beautiful building of two storeys built in the First National Architectural Movement style of the early 20th century.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Uzunköprü

On Fridays, a market is held on the plazza near the southern end of the bridge.

• Market place - GPS: 41.270456, 26.684575

Halal Restaurants in Uzunköprü

The local meatballs (Uzunköprü köftesi) are reportedly the best in the region, which is quite famous for its meat-based meals.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Uzunköprü

Uzunköprü - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Uzunköprü, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Uzunköprü. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Uzunköprü and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Uzunköprü. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Uzunköprü. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inUzunköprü: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Uzunköprü.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Uzunköprü: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Uzunköprü, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Uzunköprü.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Uzunköprü, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Uzunköprü, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Uzunköprü and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Uzunköprü, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Uzunköprü, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Uzunköprü without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Uzunköprü is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Uzunköprü.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Uzunköprü is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Uzunköprü, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Uzunköprü Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Uzunköprü is an easy day-trip from the surrounding towns (such as Edirne), but local accommodation is also available if for some reason you need to linger on.

• Çakıcı Hotel - A hotel in a new building offering rooms with free wi-fi, satellite TV, air-con.

Telecommunications in Uzunköprü

The local area code is 284.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Uzunköprü

• Edirne and the beautiful riverside city chock full of history to the north is the obvious next destination if you haven't arrived from that direction. You might have a stop over at the small town of Havsa on the way, which has a small mosque and adjoining bazaar designed by Sinan and the Islamic Ottoman architect of the 16th century.
• Keşan to the south is a major transportation hub with links to Enez on the north Aegean coast, other villages and resorts on the Saros Bay, and further south (the town of Gelibolu, Gallipoli World War I memorials, and Çanakkale on the Asian mainland across the Straits of Dardanelles).
• The Greece|Greek border is 6 kilometers away from Uzunköprü, but there is no service to get to the rail border crossing nearby, so the nearest open border crossings are located at İpsala near Keşan in the south, or Pazarkule near Edirne in the north.

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