With the objective of reestablishing a harmonious connection between the Selimiye Mosque and its surroundings, as well as the rest of the city, the municipality initiated a design competition spanning an expansive planning area of over four hectares. Beril Serbes Architect’s proposal won the first prize which reveals historical axes and integrates archaeological findings from the excavations of Yemis Kapanı, the Ottoman wholesale building situated on the site. By incorporating these archaeological artifacts, the award-winning design achieved a captivating and multi-layered composition.
Selimiye, which was perceived through the shops, markets, high-walled enclosures, narrow streets and squares, had become increasingly isolated over the years and disconnected from its original perception due to the policy of “removal of old structures” in front of mosques and as a result of natural disasters. The spatial composition formed by the pre-existing commercial structures and semi-open marketplaces around Selimiye is highly valuable.
The Project respectfully achieves to restore the aforementioned valuable perception by preserving and rebuilding the historical axes. The topography around these historical axes is raised through gentle slopes in order to emphasize them, and a plain landscape pattern is created above them. This allows to guide the perception towards Selimiye without interrupting its continuity. The intersections of these axes are enriched with urban functions and create a urban space where people can gather and spend time. The square, formed through the intersection of the streets and historically provided with a fountain, hosts semi-open spaces where people can meet and where events can be held, a cinevision room where tourists can access installations and video images about Edirne and Selimiye, and workshops where products of Edirne’s culture can be manufactured and exhibited (a fruit soap workshop, a broom workshop, a woodworking workshop, a paper marbling workshop, a sculpting workshop). As an Ottoman capital and palatial city, Edirne has historically developed a culture of handcrafting and high quality artistic creation. The handicraft workshops as well as other arts are a reflection of Edirne’s history and culture, and spread homogenously throughout the Project area.
In the Project, the landscape setting is strengthened by the use of architectural elements. The historical axes to be revitalised are revealed with modules with a permeable typology. The permeable modules support the continuity of the urban circulation emphazising the connection to the main Street, which takes the pedestrian to Selimiye’s entrance. The buildings’ materials are wood and glass, and the canopies along the urban corridor are also made of wood. These wooden modules take their geometry from the geometry of the historical buildings around them. Following the logic of the Ottoman urban layout, the design respects and co-exists with the pre-existing setup.
The archaeological excavation area of Yemiş Kapanı Han is included in the Project’s landscape design and re-engaged with the urban life. Two main gates of Yemiş Kapanı Han were revealed from historical data, in opposite sides of the building, creating an axis of circulation which the Project restores through landscape design. The landscape elements and the lighting guide the circulation of pedestrians and make the occupancy-void (building-courtyard) ratios of Yemiş Kapanı Han legible. The historical heritage is transmitted to new generations while walking through the archeaological site, connecting them with the area’s history.
The Ottomans respected the Byzantine urban layout and settled in the city following the pre-existing structure. The Project achieves to revitalise the historical setup and re-engage it with today’s urban setting.
