The First National Architecture Period buildings in Thrace Region (Edirne, Tekirdağ, Kırklareli)

The Ottoman Empire entered the process of westernization from the end of the 17th century. These Westernization movements affected the Ottoman Empire, especially in the architectural field, as in almost every other subject. In the 18th century, the Western-based Neoclassical style began to spread in religious and civil architecture in the Ottoman Empire. In the 19th century, it is seen that Hassa Architects Association lost its influence, the architects were not trained enough. Due to these factors, Ottoman architecture was influenced by European architectural styles towards the end of the 19th century. In the same period, the effect of the Nationalism movement, which increased in Europe, caused arising of styles such as Neoclassical, Neogothic, Neorenaissance, in the architectural field. The same situation was experienced in the Ottoman Empire, and architectural structures were built in the understanding of Western-influenced classicism. Starting from the second half of the 19th century, the ideology of Nationalism began to predominate, with the work of groups such as the Young Turks and later the Committee of Union Progress. The progress of the architects who grew up in this period in accordance with this ideology led to emergence of the First National Architecture Period (1908-1930). This Architectural process, which started under the leadership of Architect Kemaleddin and Architect Vedat Tek, opposed the European based architectural styles in the Ottoman architecture and aimed to deal with the classical elements of the Ottoman and Seljuk period architecture in the new period architectural structures. The First National Architecture Period showed its effect in the last years of the Ottoman Empire and First years of the Republic Period. Important buildings were built in this style in many cities, especially in Istanbul and Ankara. The architectural style of the period found its place especially in public and official buildings, and limited examples were made in religious architecture. Similarly, it is seen taht important public buildings that embody the architectural style of the period were built in the Thrace Region. In this context, its aimed to reveal the structures that reflect the architectural style features of the period in the Thrace Region.