In and Around İstanbul
Via Egnatia
Via Egnatia is a road that unites East and West, dating back to the second century BC, built under the control of the Roman Republic, one of the important powers of the period. Via Egnatia was created by the Via Egnatia Foundation (VEF) in 2007 to revive this old road. Starting on Albania's western coasts, the route heads east, entering Turkish territory through the İpsala Border Gate, passing through Edirne and Tekirdağ before arriving in İstanbul. When the road was in use, it would link up with the Silk Road at İstanbul and serve as a key trade route between East and West. Türkiye, in the Thrace Region, is home to around a sixth of the 1120 km long Via Egnatia.