The Economic Travel Guide to GUMULCINE
The Greek city beyond the border..
Composed of almost half of the Turkish population, Komotini is one of the closest cities from the Ipsala border gate of Greece, when we pass to the Greek lands separated by the bridge over the Meriç River. We see that in Komotini, which was under the auspices of the Ottoman Empire between 1361-1920, Ottoman architecture was predominant apart from the churches.. Almost all of the churches have been converted from mosques.. In addition, not only architecturally, you can even feel that you are in Turkey in Komotini.. Turkish Restaurants and Cafes, T.C.. There is even a Ziraat Bank.. So if you don’t look at the signs, you are in Turkey.. For example, the majority of the people speak Turkish.. You can easily get along with the tradesmen.
In Komotini, which has a coast, the city was established in the interior and there is a forest area on the sea side.
We are visiting . as a half-day tour, during our trip to Thessaloniki.. Then, without wasting time, let’s start exploring…
TRANSPORTATION TO GUMULCINE: HOW TO GET TO GUMULCINE?
By car: Going to Komotini, ie Komotini, by car It takes about 4 hours from the Ipsala border gate.. After crossing the border, you will follow the Egnatia highway.
By bus: It is possible to reach Komotini by bus from Esenler and Harem Bus Station.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION TO GUMULCINE
It is possible to visit the city on foot. It is really a very, very small city.
ACCOMMODATION IN GUMULCINE: WHERE TO STAY IN GUMULCINE?
Instead of staying in Komotini, we recommend you to stay in Thessaloniki. we recommend. Because Komotini is a small city that you can complete in half a day.. Even if you say you want to stay the night and continue; You can rent a house in Komotini for 11 € per night with AirBnb. You can see the options here. As a region, you can choose the area around the Dimitiko Parko Komotinis park in the center of the city.
THINGS TO DO IN GUMULCINE
After taking a tour in the city center, go to Thessaloniki. ..
WHAT TO EAT IN GUMULCINE? WHAT TO DRINK?
You will find different alternatives in Irinis Square, which is considered the heart of the city.. You can find the dishes you are looking for from Greek cuisine to eat in Komotini. There is no particular dish unique to Komotini.. And due to the density of Turks living here, you will also come across restaurants that serve Turkish dishes. Address: Kriton 15-17, Orfeos
SHOPPING IN GUMULCINE
The old city center of Komotini It is a bazaar where you will feel like you are walking in Eminönü and where you can find most of the things in Turkey.. And there is an area where you can shop in Irinis Square, located on the opposite street. It will take an average of 1 hour and will be 3.5 km. We are starting our Komotini tour.
- Community Municipal Theater (Municipal Theatre): Municipality theater with a capacity of 120 people. Even though its name is not written on the Google map, it is located at the triangular roadway right next to AIRGUNSHOP, which you will see on our map.
- There are 2 historical buildings around the Komotini Municipality parking lot:
- Metropolitan Cathedral (Ekklisia Agias Sofias Church, Καθεδρικός Ναός Ευαγγελισμός Της Θεοτόκου, Γρατινής): The largest cathedral of Komotini.
- Archaeological Museum of Komotini
- Archaeological Museum of Komotini>
- The Folklore Museum of Komotini (Folklore Museum, Λαογραφικό Μουσείο Κομοτηνής)
- Comotini Town Hall (Komotini Town Hall)
- Agia Paraskevi Park (Dimitiko Parko Komotinis, Hearth of the city): Park located in the very center of the city.
- Heroes’ Monument (Spathi, Spathi War Memorial, Mnimeio Iroon, The Central Heroon, the Sword): The monument in the middle of the park was erected in memory of the Greek soldiers who were martyred.
- The Church of St. Paraskevi: located next to it.
- St. George’s Church (Church of St.. George, Καθεδρικός Ναός Ευαγγελισμός Της Θεοτόκου)
- The Old Market of Komotini has two historical buildings:
- Historical Clock Tower , Orologio): The tower, located in Komotini market, was built in 1885.. It was built by Abdulhamid.
- New Mosque (New Temenos, Yeni Mosque, Geni Tzami): The New Mosque, which is near the Komotini Clock Tower, was built in 1585 by the II.. It was made at the request of Abdülhamit.. There is an Ottoman tomb in its courtyard.
- Old Mosque (Old Temenos, Eski Mosque, Eski Tzami): It is the largest of the 20 mosques in Komotini. The mosque, which started to be built in 1608, was expanded during the reign of Abdülmecit.. I. With the World War II, the mosque, which had a single minaret after 1912, got its share from the Bulgarian invasion.. Its minaret was destroyed, they destroyed the tomb of Mehmet Bey (grandson of Murat IV) in its courtyard, dug his grave and sent his bones to Ferdinand.
- Gazi Evrenos Bey Imaret (Church Museum, Ecclesiastical Museum): The soup kitchen, which is used as the Christianity Museum today, was built between 1365-1385 after the conquest of Gazi Evrenos Bey.. It is located near the Old Mosque.
- We are going to Sofouli Street. And here we will see two structures against each other;
- Metropolitan Church of St. Mary (Ekklisia Kimisis Theotokou)
- Byzantine Castle (Byzantino Teihos): The ruins opposite the Metropolitan Church of St. Mary.. Byzantine emperor I. Jews lived in the castle built by Theodosius.. There is a synagogue and a synagogue in the castle.
And we finish our Komotini tour in the city center.. But again, since the city center Irinis Square cannot be marked on the map, we marked the restaurant named today’s delicious stores to show the location of the square.. It is exactly around the square.. Nice cafe, you can have something to eat while you’re at it. I wonder if they did it consciously
- Irinis Square (Plateia Eirinis, Central Square, Eirinis Square, Peace Square): The lively square, considered the heart of the city (Heart of City), is open only to pedestrians.
The other places to visit in Komotini are; Mansion Staliou
ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE IN GUMULCINE
Dance club AWAY is at Plateia Eirinis. Better make a reservation.. The Avant Garde Komotini, a place where you can drink coffee, is located near the Komotini Clock Tower.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT CLOSE TO GUMULCINE: ALTERNATIVE TOURS
- After leaving the border gate of Thessaloniki and Greece, we say you should go and see everything until Athens
- Recreation Grove of Komotini: The mountainous region outside the city center of Komotini..
GUMULCINE TRAVEL NOTES:
- After leaving Turkey, you should take Komotini and continue on your way. Just going to Komotini would be a waste of time…
- Finding a direction in Komotini is a bit difficult, even very difficult. Because the signs are always in Greek!
RESOURCES
- http://www.wondergreece.gr/v1/en/
- http: //www.emtgreece.com/en