The Architecture Heritage of Edirne

Abstract

Nevnihal Erdoğan’s The Architecture Heritage of Edirne offers a comprehensive and carefully conducted study of the architectural and cultural dimensions of Edirne, the city that served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire before Istanbul. Published by Bentham Books, the book traces Edirne’s historical transformation in detail, presenting a broad scope that ranges from urban scale to individual buildings. It reveals how the city evolved into a major centre throughout its life under both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Situated at the western edge of Türkiye, where it opens towards Europe, Edirne is portrayed as a distinctive settlement shaped by the convergence of diverse architectural forms. Through these structures, the book demonstrates the city’s deep connections to the broader socio-political and cultural dynamics of Ottoman civilization.