Historical Ainos Ancient City Castle and Enez Hagia Sophia (Fatih Mosque)

History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore The ancient city of Ainos, founded by the Aeolians in the 7th century BC, at the point where the Meriç River flows into the Aegean Sea, is the oldest port settlement in Thrace, mentioned as 'Aineia' in Homer's Iliad. Enez Castle, rising on the acropolis of the city rumored to have been founded by the Trojan War hero Aeneas, was fortified during the Roman, Byzantine and Genoese periods. Enez Hagia Sophia, located inside the castle and built in the Byzantine period in the 12th century AD, was converted into a mosque after the conquest of the city by Mehmed the Conqueror in 1455 and was named 'Fatih Mosque'. The building, which remained abandoned for many years as a result of earthquakes, was restored faithfully to the original by the General Directorate of Foundations and was reopened to worship and visit in 2021 after 56 years. Geographical Structure, Altitude and Natural Features It is located at an altitude of 25 meters, on the top of the peninsula where Meriç Delta and Dalyan Lagoon Lake meet the Aegean Sea. Located between the turquoise waters of Saros Gulf and the lagoon lakes, the castle offers a panoramic view of the Meriç mouth and the Greek lands on the opposite shore. Visiting Hours, Days and Entrance Fees