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Remains of the Ancient Fortress on the acropolis of Bizye
There are many books and accounts written about Turkey's Asian portion called Anatolia, but Thrace (Trakya) still remains to be explained to the readers. Many of my customers and friends ask me typical questions such as, "What is Thrace?", "Where is it?", "What is there?", "Anything interesting there?" or "I have never heard of it". These are only a few of many questions awaiting to be answered. When we look at the geographical position of Thrace on the earth map, we will be able to see its position as one that should never be underemphasized. Major roads of the ancient past went through Thrace from east to west or vice versa. The famous road of "Via Egnatia" was built through Thrace by the Romans when they formed the Asia province, and it was the main route from Rome to the East. 
The Burial Mound of the Thracian King
Although many ancient sites and mounds in Thrace have been excavated by the archaeologists, the results have gained little popularity as many people tend to give their attentions to the classical sites of Anatolia. Only some scholars and people with diverse interest in antiquity have shown their sympathy in this part of Turkey. When you are on the top of the hill of Vize (ancient Bizye or Bisya) which was the capital of ancient Thracian Kingdom, there is a panoramic view of the surrounding area, look over the large plain below, you will see in the horizon many burial mounds each one or two miles apart that belong to the ancient Thracian kings. A burial style that was carried later to Anatolia and farther on to other parts of the Near East. Even the tomb of King Midas in central Anatolia astonishingly resembles one of these burial mounds of Thrace. |
