Babaeski (Greek: Αρτεσκός) is a town in Kırklareli Province in the Marmara region of Turkey. It is the seat of Babaeski District. Its population is 29,215 (2022).

Name

The name Babaeski is believed to have originated according to the following legend: the Ottoman Sultan, Mehmet the Conqueror, stopped in town on his way to Constantinople before the final siege of the city. He happened to meet an old man in front of the old mosque which is nowadays called Small Mosque (Küçük Cami) and asked him when the town was established. The man replied "Eskidir, eski," meaning "It is old, old." When the Sultan asked the man's age, he replied again, "Baba... eski," which means "The father is old." From then on, the name Babaeski has been used for the town.

History

In Byzantine times, the area was known as Boulgarophygon (Βουλγαρόφυγον in Byzantine Greek), and was the site of a major Byzantine defeat by the Bulgarians in 896. In Greek is known as Arteskos (Αρτεσκός). In Ancient times, the city was also called Burtudizon, latinized as Burdidizum.

Facts

Babaeski lies on a relatively flat landscape where the highest point does not exceed 150 m. The Devil Stream (Şeytan Deresi) flows through the land of the district. Agriculture is the main industry. Sunflowers, wheat are the main crops grown along with some vegetables. Industrial development has sped up in the last decade mainly in the form of textile factories. Babaeski hosts the annual Babaeski Agricultural Festival in late July to early August where national singers perform.

Population

The population in Babaeski and villages who belong to Babaeski District, are of different background, like Anatolian Turks, Balkan Turks-Muhacir, Yörüks, Amuca tribe, Muslim Megleno-Romanians, Pomaks, Romani people in Turkey and Crimean Tatars, are Cultural Muslims, who belong to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam.

Sights

Some historical sites in Babaeski are:

Gallery