Rereading Borders in Thrace: Urban and Architectural Transitions in the Late Medieval Period

The historical-geographical region of Thrace served as a significant mediator of cultural and architectural interaction due to its position between Asia Minor and the Balkans, particularly during the late medieval period, a time characterized by frequent changes in political authority and shifts in power. The region, alongside its Byzantine heritage, played an important role in the formation of the Ottoman identity of the principality in this early period. However, the political division of Thrace among three countries (Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria) in the early twentieth century hindered our understanding of its historical space and cultural connections, especially in the sub-regions showing similar geographic characteristics in the border zone. Drawing on the on-site visits across three countries of Thrace within an interdisciplinary framework and subsequent discussions carried out under the BRIA Project, this study investigates the concepts of ‘thinking beyond modern borders’ and the shared features of these sub-regions. In this context, the urban and architectural transition between the Byzantines and the Ottomans during the late medieval period in the Lower Evros (Meriç) River Valley, once a vibrant transportation hub but now forming the border between Turkey and Greece, is examined. The paper approaches the subject at various scales. From a broader perspective, the settlements on both banks of the river are analysed in terms of their relationships with each other, the topography, the river and the transportation network. Furthermore, the transformation of spaces and architectural details is examined at the level of individual buildings, aiming to reveal continuities and changes.