Dock built by Sultan Mehmed II in Türkiye’s Edirne to be unveiled

The dock of the Edirne Palace, constructed by Sultan Mehmed II in 1452 along the Tunca River, is set to be unveiled as part of restoration efforts carried out by the Presidency of National Palaces Administration.

The restoration and revitalization of Edirne New Palace are progressing rapidly under the coordination of the Presidency of the National Palaces Administration. As part of these efforts, the palace’s historical dock will also be restored.

Teams from the 11th Regional Directorate of State Hydraulic Works have started working on the section of the Tunca River that splits into two branches on Sarayici Island. The branch connected to Fatih Bridge has been filled in with excavation material, with the goal of uncovering the palace dock and the marble structures laid along the riverbed.

Historic dock and traces of Sultan Mehmed II’s era

In 1452, Sultan Mehmed II ordered the construction of the Fatih Bridge over the Tunca River next to Edirne Palace, and a dock extending to Sarachane Bridge was built by covering part of the riverbed with marble.

During the reign of Sultan Bayezid II, the river was further regulated following the construction of the Bayezid II Mosque and Complex between 1484 and 1488, creating a waterway that allowed boats to travel from the palace to the mosque.

Sultan Ahmed I also utilized this dock during the winter of 1613, when he stayed in Edirne, bringing boats from Istanbul and enjoying boat rides on the Tunca River.

This historic dock of Edirne Palace was used by Ottoman sultans for many years and witnessed significant moments in history. Its reexposure is seen as an important step in better reflecting Edirne’s Ottoman heritage.