Türkiye is set to introduce a new tourism route in its northwestern Thrace region, highlighting ancient dolmens and menhirs—megalithic stone tombs and monuments dating back up to 3,500 years.
Selcuk Eracun, chairman of the Istanbul Tourist Guides Chamber, stated that around 100 of these historic sites are spread across an area from Edirne, near the Greek border, to Kirklareli, which borders Bulgaria.
A statement published on the Turkish presidential office’s website noted that the initiative aims to boost regional tourism, with final details to be determined following archaeological assessments.
Dolmens—large, table-like stone tombs—and menhirs—tall, upright stones—are significant remnants of Thrace’s early communities. The region also features Ottoman-era gravestones with inscriptions in Ottoman Turkish and distinct headgear motifs, with a 2020 Trakya University study tracing these traditions back to Central Asia.
Irfan Karsli, head of Ligarba Tourism Agency, highlighted the project’s potential to become a key center for prehistoric heritage. He noted that integrating tourism, preservation, and research would be essential in attracting a broader range of international visitors.