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History of the Ottoman city of LüleBurgaz in Eastern Thrace, during the late period (1800-1918), with emphasis on the social-economic-cultural life, the institutional framework and the education of the roman community (Doctoral thesis)

Γούλας, Γεώργιος/ Goulas, Georgios

The object of this thesis is the exploration of the historical background that composes the historical course of the city of Lule- Burgaz in Eastern Thrace. The period of interest extends from 1800 to 1918. The social structure of the town is of particular interest in this period, as it was a time when inhabitants with diverse and heterogeneous characteristics in terms of religion, ethnic origin and economic level coexisted. The research shows that on the one hand, Eastern Thrace was a region of timeless historical interest with rich historical sources concerning all areas of life, and on the other hand, the city of Lule- Burgaz was a powerful center with contributions at the economic, social, political and military levels. The geostrategic position of the city made it a point of interest and a protagonist in important military confrontations that changed the historical course of the entire region. The creation of the railway line made the city an essential transport hub for passengers and goods. The educational reforms of the period, particularly of the Greek Orthodox millet, were characterized by mobility and the need to integrate into the surrounding atmosphere according to Western standards and constituted a serious attempt at modernization, with a variety of institutions active in strengthening education. The production of loulades (pipes) in the area, from which the name of the city is likely to have originated, and the particularly strong political and economic personalities of the Roman community make the city worthy of interest. Finally, the thesis aspires to provide those historical elements that will preserve the city and its contribution to historical memory.