Discover Hamidiye

In the area around Hamidiye are two archaeological sites in different landscape settings: a remnant of a wall in a forested area and the ruin of Hamidiye Yanık Kale on a commanding hilltop. A further perspective is offered by the planned Sakar–Istranca crossing in the wider region. The local historical traces and the hiking route represent different scales that can be considered separately when planning a trip.

Archaeological traces in the surrounding area

Kuşku Mevki Yapı Kalıntısı lies 950 metres southwest of Hamidiye. The remnant of a wall is made of rubble stones set in lime mortar and is located in a forested area. The site is classified as a first-degree archaeological site. Numerous pieces of pottery and brick are found in the surrounding area. Thus, the picture of this place includes both the surviving masonry and the scattered fragments around it. Rubble stones are irregularly shaped stones; lime mortar binds them together in the masonry. The description therefore identifies not just an archaeological site, but also specific features of its built remains.

The ruin of Hamidiye Yanık Kale lies 2.6 kilometres northwest of Hamidiye, also in a forested area and on a commanding hilltop. Its castle walls have collapsed; only remains at foundation level are still visible. The ruin is unprotected and difficult to reach. There are illegal excavation pits dug by treasure hunters at the site; it has also been damaged by treasure hunters. Compared with the wall remnant at Kuşku Mevki, the archaeological significance here is shaped by a castle complex, collapsed walls and its damaged state of preservation. Its difficult accessibility is an important practical consideration if you are thinking of including the ruin in your travel plans.

A planned hike in the wider region

The hiking perspective extends well beyond the two nearby archaeological sites. On 8 January 2019, a 25.8-kilometre hiking route from Kıyıköy to Hamidiye was described as the first stage of the planned Sakar–Istranca Transroute. The stage information thus specifies a precise distance as well as a starting point and destination. The planned crossing of the Istranca Mountains required sufficient local knowledge and the ability to use a map and GPS reliably. Participants were also expected to be equipped and trained for winter conditions; there were no signposts or trail markers for the planned crossing. These requirements are part of the regional hiking perspective and clearly distinguish it from interest in the individual archaeological sites.

A reported Sakar–Istranca crossing passed through three districts of Kırklareli and ten villages in those districts; it then reached the district of Lalapaşa in Edirne. This describes a large-scale journey across several districts, not just the area around a single place. When choosing a holiday rental in Hamidiye, you can therefore decide on your main focus first: is your stay primarily intended to explore the archaeological traces nearby, or are you planning a regional hike? This way, the local historical connections and the broader mountain route can be considered as distinct travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Lüleburgaz, Topçular, Iğneada, Kıyıköy, Sütlüce, Kırklareli, Dereköy, Koyunbaba Köyü

Go to the higher-level travel overview: Kırklareli.