Organized by Trakya University Balkan Research Institute, Dr. Paschalis Androudis from Aristotelio University Faculty of Philosophy, Department of History and Archaeology attended as a speaker  the conference entitled “Early Ottoman Art in Northern Greece (14-16th century)”, held at the Fehmi Yildiz Conference Hall of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences hosted by Trakya University. The rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Prof. Dr. Ayhan Gençler, Director of the Keşan Yusuf Çapraz School of Applied Sciences Prof. Dr. Adil Oğuzhan, Director of the Balkan Research Institute Lecturer Bülent Akyay and many academicians and students attended the conference, on the works reflecting the traces of the Ottoman Empire since the establishment of the Ottoman Empire in various parts of Greece.

In the conference which shed light into the Ottoman presence in Greece with the photographs of the Ottoman monuments belonging to the Ottoman period in Greece, especially the mosques, tombs, fountains, bridges, schools, and baths were examined and the features of the Ottoman monuments were revealed. Also were given detailed information about the Ottoman presence in Greece in the capital city of Athens and the cities of Thessaloniki, Thassos, Chalkidiki, Kavala, Drama, Thessaly. In the conference, structures such as museums and libraries, as well as those belonging to the contemporary Greek landscape were discussed. Dr. Paschalis Androudis, who travelled through Greece, gave a talk on the unknown or forgotten structures and gave significant facts in the light of historical data. After the opening speeches, Dr. Paschalis Androudis stated that he loved Thrace and Turkish people very much and shared his happiness to be in Trakya University. Dr. Paschalis Androudis made important explanations about early Ottoman architecture and structures and said “The establishment phase of the Ottoman state and the resettlement policies it implemented are extremely important. After the conquest of Bursa, which was a Byzantine city, the Ottoman Empire began to became a world empire. The conquest of the Byzantine cities by the Ottomans took place over a long period of time, starting from Thrace to Macedonia and the Peloponnese and after the conquest of Thrace and Macedonia, the road to Thessaloniki was opened to the Ottoman Empire. However, it should be noted that as of 1472, there were veterans in the region rather than the official organization of the Ottoman Empire and since then, the Ottoman sovereignty efforts in the region increased. Gazi Evrenos Bey's fighters played an important role in the establishment of Ottoman rule in the region. The Ottomans reconstructed the cities by making zoning and resettlement plans in these regions where they applied their management approaches and systems, and formed examples of Ottoman cities with structures such as mosques, tombs, inns, baths. Having an in-depth view and knowledge of the early Ottoman works, Paschalis Androudis added that many works could not be preserved.

Speaking after the conference, Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu, thanked Paschalis Androudis for his contributions. Rector Prof.Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu added in his speech that the Ottoman Empire reigned in this geography for a long time and left outstanding works. These works represent not only the Turks who ruled and lived there in history, but the culture and international heritage of all the nations that established civilization there. In this respect, we welcome the fact that Greece is committed to these values and that it is making the necessary effort and necessary for its restoration. We have been together in history, we have lived together in peace and tranquillity. This historical proximity and neighbourly relationship is the common fate of both nations. We should also contribute to this fate and host activities that will improve our relationships and friendship. I want the conference to contribute to friendship and peace before anything else, and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed. The conference ended with the gift to Paschalis Androudis by Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu.