City in the region of Evros, 2 km away from the Greek-Turkish border. It was named after the double walls of its castle (Kale) or, according to another version, after the two opposite fortified cities (one on Kale and the other one on the opposite hill, Agia Petra). The city is built at the point where the rivers Evros and Erythropotamos meet, 40 km away from the Bulgarian border, and it hosts the headquarters of the Diocese of Didymoteicho, Orestiada and Soufli as well as the Muftia of Didymoteicho.
The history of the city dates to the Neolithic period. It used to be the administrative and military base of the Byzantine Empire and became its capital three times. Later on, it became the first Ottoman capital in European territory. Didymoteicho was officially united with Greece by the Treaty of Sevres in 1920. Today, most of the Muslim minority belong to the Roma community. After the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), refugees from the Asia Minor, Eastern Thrace and Eastern Romilia settled here. There is also an Armenian community in the city.
Didymoteicho has several important sights, indicative of the long history of the city. Plotinoupolis, the ancient city on the hill of Agia Petra, with impressive findings such as the Golden Bust of the emperor Septimius Severus and a Roman mosaic with mythological representations. Due to the key geostrategic position of the city, it was one of the most important cities in Thrace. It was also the birthplace of Ioannis III Vatatzis and Ioannis V Palaiologos, as well as the headquarters of the emperors Ioannis III Palaiologos and Ioannis VI Kantakouzinos.
The Armenian church Surp Kevork (Agios Georgios), the Agora Gate (central castle gate), the Princess Tower, Agia Aikaterini church, the burial chapel of the Palaiologos era, the church of Christ the Savior in the Castle of Agios Athanasios, the church of the Assumption of Virgin, and several springs are some of the most interesting attractions in the city. Attractions indicative of the Ottoman history of the city include the Sandrivan or Charsi Mosque (Agora Mosque) currently the only operating mosque in Didymoteicho, the magnificent Bayazit Mosque in the central square of Didymoteicho, the Hammams of Urtz Pasha (Baths of the Whispers or Baths of Love), the Hammam Feridun Ahmed Beg and Pyrostia (Mausoleum of Oruts Pasha (turbes). The city has two remarkable museums, the Byzantine and the Folklore Museum, as well as two natural caves, the Kayali cave and the Vouva cave.
Among the events that take place in the city are the bagpipe festival (Kale Panair), the “Vatatzeia”, and the “Palaiologia”.
Didymoteicho is the birthplace of Byzantine emperors John III Doukas Vatatzes and John V Palaiologos, the Ottoman sultan Bayezid II, and Olympic javelin thrower Konstadinos Gatsioudis.
Traditional woman's costume from Didymoteicho (photo)
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