Lüleburgaz (Turkish:[lyˈlebuɾɡaz]; Modern Greek: Λουλέ Μπουργκάς Lule Burgas; Bulgarian: Люлебургаз Lyuleburgaz), Bergoule (Ancient Greek: Βεργούλη) or Arcadiopolis (Ancient Greek: Ἀρκαδιούπολις Arkadiópolis) is the largest city of Kırklareli Province in the Marmara region of Turkey. It is the seat of Lüleburgaz District.[2] Its population is 125,404 (2022).[1] Located near the border with Bulgaria and Greece within the historic region of East Thrace in Rumelia, the city is home to many Balkan Turks from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and ex-Yugoslavia who immigrated to Turkey since the 19th century.
The city's ancient name was Bergula but Emperor Theodosius I changed it to Arcadiopolis in honour of his son and successor Arcadius. The city of Arcadiopolis fell to Attila the Hun during his campaign against the Eastern Roman Empire in 443 AD.
During the revolt of Thomas the Slav against Michael II, the city was Thomas' last refuge after the defection of his troops in 823. Michael II invested the city and after more than five months of siege, the exhausted and starving troops gave up their leader in exchange for an imperial pardon. Thomas was handed over on a donkey and tortured.
Lüleburgaz came under Ottoman control during the early period of the Ottoman Empire's enlargement to Balkans.
The Battle of Lüleburgaz was fought between 28 October and 2 November 1912 during the First Balkan War. The city was occupied by the Greek army between 1920 and 1922, before becoming part of the Modern Turkish Republic.[4]
The economy of Lüleburgaz is mainly based on the industrial sector and agriculture. There are various factories around the city.
Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi-Aventis, Deva Holding A.S. and Zentiva have their main manufacturers within the urban area of Lüleburgaz.
Agriculture
Crops widely grown around Lüleburgaz include wheat, corn and sunflowers, with the latter being one of the symbols of the city. Trakya Birlik, with its headquarters in the city, is one of Turkey's main sunflower oil producers.
Glass production
Şişecam, Turkey's leading glass producer, has a factory in Lüleburgaz, as does its East Thracian division Trakya Cam (Thrace Glass).
Sport
Founded in 2007, the women's football club, Düvenciler Lisesispor, played in the Turkish Women's First Football League after promotion from the Second League. In 2011 the team changed its name to Lüleburgaz 39 Spor and its colours from yellow-black to red-green. The club ended its participation in the league in the 2013-14 season.[8]
The festival of koliada is historically celebrated in the city in the month of January.[9]
Media companies
The city of Lüleburgaz is home to several local media agencies including the centre-left Lüleburgaz Görünüm Gazetesi and Lüleburgaz Haber.
Politics
Lüleburgaz is one of the most pro-European cities of Turkey; mayoral candidates advocating tighter integration with the European Union dominate during elections.