The Basilica of the King's Daughter

The Basilica of the King's Daughter It is located in the King's Daughter Sanctuary, on the western shore of the present-day Lake Taşaltı, one of the two ports of Ainos, in the southeast of Edirne Province. Today, the Stone Lake is considered the eastern inland port of Enez, and the church is located on the western shore of this lake.

The Basilica of the King's Daughter was uncovered during excavations in 1982-83. This structure has an unusual plan and no exact information has been reached, only some estimates have been made.

Where is the Basilica of the King's Daughter?

The Basilica of the King's Daughter Edirne Ili is located in the southeast of Enez County, on the western slope of the present-day Lake Taşaltı, one of the two ports of Ainos, located in the King's Daughter Site. This lake is known today as the eastern inland port of Enez, and the church is located on the western shore of this lake.

You can explore itineraries such as Edirne Attractions, Enez, and if you wish, you can create your own itinerary from our Edirne Attractions page.

How do you get to the Basilica of the Daughter of the King?

To get to the Basilica of the King's Daughter, you have to go to Enez first.

1. The public transport: Buses are the most convenient and comfortable public transportation option for transportation to Enez. The center of Enez can be easily reached by different transportation alternatives from various parts of the city.
   The bus; In Enez County, inner-city transportation is usually provided by public buses and minibuses. Public buses run at regular intervals at different times of the day. Buses departing from Enez Center provide daytime transportation to various locations within the county.
2. Special vehicle: From the central district of Edirne, you can reach the district of Enez in about 2 hours via the Edirne Çanakkale Road. In addition, if you want to go to Enez from Keshan County, you can use the Enez Ipsala Road in about 52 minutes.
3. The plane: If you plan to reach Enez County by air, you can travel from the airport in your city to Çorlu Airport in Çorlu County, Tekirdağ Province. You can choose your own car or public transportation to get from Çorlu Airport to Enez County.

Architectural Features of the Basilica of the King's Daughter

Architectural features of the Basilica of the King's Daughter can be sorted as follows:

• Plan of the basilica: The Basilica of the King's Daughter has a basilica plan that is 30 meters long. This structure is a three-nave church.
• The Pastophorion: There is a special area called the pastophorion between the veins in the structure.
• Details of the fountain: The base of the central nave is notable for a fountain formed by three niches carved into the rock below its level.
• Finds of gold coins: Ten gold coins found in the foundations of the structure indicate that the last phase of the basilica dates back to the 12th century. indicates that it belongs to the century.
• The Marble Blocks: The marble blocks used in the construction of the basilica were brought from different places such as Marmara Island and Semadirek.
• Different stages of construction: The construction of the structure was carried out in three different stages. The structure, which was built with 5 naves in the first phase, collapsed as a result of a fire and a new church with a different plan was built. This last structure has three naves and three apses.
• The apses: The apses are horseshoe-shaped on the inside and triangular on the outside.
• Locations: To the east of each side nave, there are square-plan spaces from the inside to the outside of the polygon, connected to the naos. Many graves have been identified under the flooring in the western part of the central nave.
• Mosaic and Fresco Traces: The base of the structure is covered with mosaic and there are traces of frescoes in some areas.
• The Cross of Embroidery: Inside the basilica there is a cross engraved on a profiled piece of marble. In addition, there are crosses and vegetal motifs on some marble slabs used to cover the tombs.
• Archaeological finds include: Various archaeological finds, such as gold coins and silver medieval coins, have also been discovered at the base of the basilica.
• Structure of the plan: The plan of the structure is unusual and there are secondary corridors on the sides of the naos and cells at the eastern end of these corridors.

Places to visit around the Basilica of the Daughter of the King

Places to visit around the Basilica of the King's Daughter They are:

• The Tomb of Jonah: The Tomb of Has Yunus, located about 800 meters from the Basilica of the King's Daughter, can be visited as a historical and cultural site.
• The Castle of Enez: Enez Castle is about 1.1 kilometers from the Basilica of the King's Daughter. It's a mile away. The walls and the view of the historic castle are worth exploring.
• This is Enez Ayasofya: Enez Hagia Sophia is located about 1.2 kilometers from the Basilica of the King's Daughter. It's located two kilometers away. This historic structure is an important church from the Byzantine period.
• The beach of Enez: If you want to enjoy the sea and the sun, Enez Beach, about three miles (5.4 km) from the Basilica of the King's Daughter, is a good option. Four kilometers away, Enez Beach is a good option.
• The Gulf of Saros: The Gulf of Saros offers natural beauty and the opportunity to stroll along the coast. It's 7.1 kilometers from the Basilica of the King's Daughter. It's a mile away.
• The National Park of Lake Gala: The Gala Lake National Park, located about nine kilometers from the Basilica of the King's Daughter, is an ideal place for bird watching and nature walks.
• The mosque of Prince Ahmet Pasha: This historic mosque is far from the Basilica of the King's Daughter, but it is one of the buildings worth visiting.
• The Natural Park of the Skyscraper: For those who love nature and green spaces, Gökçetepe Nature Park offers a relaxing escape.
• This is Rustem Pasha Kervansaray: This historic caravanserai is a fine example of Ottoman-era architecture, but it is located far from the Basilica of the King's Daughter.

These places are important tourist and historical points that you can discover around when visiting the Basilica of the King's Daughter.

The Basilica of the King's Daughter: The Historical Values of Enez

The Basilica of the King's Daughter It is located on the western shore of Lake Tashalt, in the southeast of Enez County, which is part of Edirne Province, in the Aegean region of Turkey. The structure in this area, which was one of the two ports of the ancient city of Ainos in ancient times, is of great historical and architectural importance.

The Basilica of the King's Daughter Structural properties

The Basilica of the King's Daughter is a three-nave structure 30 meters long. The pastophorion, located between the naves, indicates that this structure had a religious character. The basilica has gone through various phases at different times in the past.

The Basilica of the King's Daughter Archaeological finds and historical layers

Excavations and research carried out in recent years have revealed that the basilica went through seven different phases of construction throughout its history. It has been determined that the oldest floor of the structure dates back to Roman times.

The Basilica of the King's Daughter Archaeological Discoveries: Fountain and Gold Coin

A fountain formed by three niches carved into the rock has emerged below the level of the base flooring of the central nave. This fountain may have been used to provide a water supply. In addition, 10 gold coins found in the foundations of the structure indicate that the last phase of the basilica dates back to the 12th century. indicates that it belongs to the century.

The Basilica of the King's Daughter Building Materials: Marble blocks

The marble blocks used in the construction of the basilica were brought from the Island of Marmara and Semadirek. This indicates that the material used in the construction of the structure required a special craftsmanship and reflected the trade relations of the region.

The Basilica of the King's Daughter is one of the important buildings of Enez, which is rich in history and archaeology. Excavations and research are helping us to better understand this structure, which bears traces of antiquity to the present day.