Bursa, Turkey Guide

Bursa's Green Mosque and nearby Green Tomb are modest but intricately designed. The Green Mosque has beautiful turquoise tiles and an intricate mihrab, which is a niche in the wall that shows the direction of Mecca. The mosque features a sultan’s loge, a domed central hall, and rooms used for prayer and Ottoman governmental affairs.

Adjacent to the mosque is the Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe), an octagonal structure adorned with blue tiles, housing the cenotaphs of Sultan Mehmet I and his family. Nearby, the Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum, located in the mosque's historic medrese, offers a glimpse into historical art and objects. The complex is also in proximity to the Emir Sultan Mosque and is within a short walking distance or bus ride from the center of Bursa. This mosque, with its rich history and architectural significance, is a key landmark in the city, reflecting the evolution of Islamic architecture in Turkey.

Bursa's Ulu Cami (Great Mosque), a prominent example of early Seljuk Turkish architecture, stands majestically at the western end of Atatürk Caddesi in the city center. This grand mosque was built between 1396 and 1399 under Sultan Yıldırım Beyazıt, this mosque is a large stone structure topped with 20 domes. Its exterior simplicity contrasts with a grand interior, featuring a forest of square columns supporting arches and domes, and a central glass-covered opening that illuminates the vast prayer hall.

The mosque's design, both simple and spacious, accommodates thousands of worshippers, making it a significant place for prayer and a serene space for visitors to appreciate its architectural beauty. Visitors are welcome, though it's advisable to avoid prayer times for a more respectful experience.

Bursa's Covered Market (Kapalı Çarşı), while smaller than Istanbul's grand bazaar, serves as the heart of a larger bazaar district in Bursa. Located near the Great Mosque (Ulu Cami), this market area is not only a shopping destination but also a historical exploration site. It features several notable hans (caravanserais) such as the İpek (Silk) Han, Koza (Cocoon) Han.

This two-story caravanserai is ideal for buying souvenirs. Once situated along the Silk Road, you can find many stalls selling silk (ipek) in Bursa. The covered market (Kapalı Çarşı) has stalls selling bags, jewelry, and souvenirs. Keep in mind when you are shopping that 'ipeksi' ("silky") is not real silk.

The Muradiye Complex is a historically rich site that includes the Muradiye Mosque, built in 1426 under Sultan Murat II. This complex is not just a religious site but also includes a medieval health center, an Ottoman-style restaurant, a historic Turkish bath, and two Ottoman houses now serving as museums. The Muradiye Mosque, similar in style to Bursa's Green Mosque, is particularly notable for its garden filled with a dozen domed tombs, each telling the tumultuous history of the early Ottoman Empire and its succession struggles.

Among these tombs, the most significant is the Tomb of Murat II, with its unique design allowing rain to fall directly onto the sultan's grave, and the Tomb of Prince Cem, the youngest son of Sultan Mehmet II, who became a political pawn in Europe. Another poignant site is the Tomb of Prince Mustafa, son of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, renowned for its exquisite İznik tiles and the tragic story of Mustafa's unjust execution. The complex also includes the 17th-century Ottoman House Museum and the operational Murat II Hamam, offering a glimpse into Ottoman architecture and daily life.

As the former Ottoman capital, Bursa has many tombs of Ottoman sultans. Located in the city centre within Tophane Park, Osman Gazi and his son Orhan Gazi both have tombs here. Osman Gazi was the Ottoman sultan who founded the Ottoman Empire. His son Orhan Gazi, would go on to capture Bursa in 1326, making it the first Ottoman capital (Constantinople, or Istanbul, was not taken until 1453).

Bursa is home to several museums that showcase its rich history and cultural heritage. The Bursa City Museum offers insights into the city's past, from its founding to its modern development. The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum displays a collection of artifacts that highlight the artistic achievements of the Ottoman era.

The Bursa Archaeology Museum is another must-visit, featuring relics from the Byzantine (Eastern Roman Empire) and Ottoman periods, including ceramics, coins, and sculptures. The Panorama 1326 Bursa Conquest Museum is a relatively new museum that features a large dome showing the departure of the Byzantines along with the arrival of the Ottomans and many scenes of daily life.