Çorlu in north-western Turkey lies 116 kilometres from Istanbul in the Province of Tekirdağ. The city is known for its textile production and its many factories and large outlet centres that attract visitors from all over the country seeking discount clothing. The city is home to a melting pot of cultures, and with new production factories opening regularly, it is experiencing rapid growth.
Many visitors journey to Çorlu for the discount shopping experiences. There are several shopping centres within the vicinity of the city, with many operating free shuttle buses to and from the centre. Some of the most popular retail outlets include Çorlu Trend Arena AVM, Orion and Avantaj Outlet Shopping Mall. Avantaj is home to around 30 stores, and with a children’s play area and a fun disco bar, it’s an experience which all the family can enjoy. In addition to the wide variety of shopping outlets, Çorlu has several sites of interest for travellers to see. Süleymaniye Mosque is a gorgeous domed structure in the central square. Dating back to 1521, it was named after Ottoman Sultan Suleiman, it is one of a few medieval city buildings. There are tea gardens located in the centre of the city where visitors can indulge in a traditional beverage and chat to friendly locals. The local bars or beer houses are authentically Turkish and mainly frequented by men, and are a good place in which to listen to live Turkish folk music.
Reaching Çorlu from Istanbul is easy, there are regular buses each day. Minibus taxis offer express services from Çorlu centre to surrounding towns and coastal villages. There are two trains each day which call at Çorlu station, approximately 5 kilometres west of the city. Minibuses transport visitors from the station into the city. It’s easy to walk around Çorlu city centre and to reach the outlet centres on the edge of the city, free shuttle buses are available.
The city of Çorlu had a tumultuous early history. When Sultan Murad I brought the city under Ottoman control he ordered the Roman Walls to be torn down, and the town became part of Pax Ottomana. The town was an important staging post on the journey between Istanbul and Greece, due to this the city often found itself at the centre of military conflicts. Today, although the city is safe, it remains home to the 189th Infantry Regiment of the Turkish army.