Vize (pronounced vee-ZAY) is a town in northeastern Turkish Thrace, on the foothills of the Istranca Mountains and about 40 km inland from the Black Sea coast.
Vize, or Bizye of ancient times, was the capital of the Thracian Kingdom, which ruled the area well before the Romans arrived. Today the town has a population of around 12,000.
Vize is one of the earliest Turkish members of the CittaSlow Movement, promoting a slower, healthier and more local way of life worldwide.
- Hagia Sophia. Primary attraction of the town. This impressive religious edifice made of red brick typical of the Byzantine monuments is colloquially called Küçük Ayasofya, "Little Hagia Sophia", in Turkish. Unlike the other Hagia Sophias in Turkey, this former cathedral was never turned into a museum and is still a functioning mosque. Although there is not much art (neither Christian nor Islamic) to see inside the mosque, the interior is visitable if the imam is notified, as the gate is locked during non-prayer hours because of a lack of sufficient congregation to keep it open all day. Free.
- Citadel, Mimar Sinan Mahallesi. Scant remnants of the town's citadel, including that of a tower, can be seen on the pine-covered hill with a wide vista of the town and the plains below. Prior to the construction of the castle, this hilltop was the local acropolis. Just below the citadel is also the ruins of an ancient amphitheater.
- Tumulus. Numerous tumulii, or burial mounds built for the rulers of the Thracian kingdom, can be seen south of town on the wide open plain. While they can be spotted here and there in much of Eastern Thrace, Vize is one of the places they are clustered together in an exceptionally high number, thanks to the importance the town beared in times gone by.
Hagia Sophia. Primary attraction of the town. This impressive religious edifice made of red brick typical of the Byzantine monuments is colloquially called Küçük Ayasofya, "Little Hagia Sophia", in Turkish. Unlike the other Hagia Sophias in Turkey, this former cathedral was never turned into a museum and is still a functioning mosque. Although there is not much art (neither Christian nor Islamic) to see inside the mosque, the interior is visitable if the imam is notified, as the gate is locked during non-prayer hours because of a lack of sufficient congregation to keep it open all day. Free.
Citadel, Mimar Sinan Mahallesi. Scant remnants of the town's citadel, including that of a tower, can be seen on the pine-covered hill with a wide vista of the town and the plains below. Prior to the construction of the castle, this hilltop was the local acropolis. Just below the citadel is also the ruins of an ancient amphitheater.
Tumulus. Numerous tumulii, or burial mounds built for the rulers of the Thracian kingdom, can be seen south of town on the wide open plain. While they can be spotted here and there in much of [[Eastern Thrace]], Vize is one of the places they are clustered together in an exceptionally high number, thanks to the importance the town beared in times gone by.
The telephone code of the town is (+90) 288.
- Kıyıköy, or ancient Medea, 38 km east on the coast of the Black Sea, is a historic town surrounded by city walls. The impressive rock-cut monastery of St Nicholas is just in the outskirts, as well as the beaches, all surrounded by a landscape of creeks and forests. Buses departing about once every two hours connect it with Vize.
- Demirköy to the north, going through the beautiful forests of the Istranca Mountains, also makes a perfect trip from Vize, although only feasible if you have a car at your disposal as direct public transport links do not exist. From there on, you can visit a medieval foundry, the Dupnisa Cave, and İğneada further to the northeast on the coast, surrounded by lakes and lush forests.
[[Demirkoy|Demirköy]] to the north, going through the beautiful forests of the Istranca Mountains, also makes a perfect trip from Vize, although only feasible if you have a car at your disposal as direct public transport links do not exist. From there on, you can visit a medieval foundry, the Dupnisa Cave, and [[İğneada]] further to the northeast on the coast, surrounded by lakes and lush forests.