Rich in historical significance, Edirne saw the best and the worst times of the Roman Empire. Named after founding Emperor Hadrian, under whose reign the Empire reached its largest extent, the city was also the scene of the worst military disaster in the later Empire, when the Emperor Valens and all his troops were slaughtered by barbarian invaders. Its past has left the city with a heritage of cobblestone streets, outdoor shops, wooden houses and an Eastern European feel. Among the city's sights are the Museum of Islamic Art and the covered bazaar; the main reason to visit Edirne, however, is to see The Selimiye, a mosque that represents the best work of the finest Ottoman Turkish architect, Sinan--it's a true masterpiece. The Uc Serefeli and Eski mosques are also worth seeing. Mud wrestling occurs in Edirne in early July. Plan one night there. 146 mi/235 km west of Istanbul (near the Bulgarian/Greek border).