Bursa Travel Guide

The city of Bursa, southeast of the Sea of Marmara, lies on the lower slopes of Mount Uludag (Mt. Olympos of Mysia, 2543m), with the city deriving its name from its founder King Prusias of Bithynia.

History of Bursa

Bursa was established as an important center as far back as pre-Roman times, attracting emperors and people for its rich, fertile soil and healing thermal waters. The arrival of the Ottomans in 1326 ensured the city’s prosperity as a cultural and economic center that now represents one of the richest legacies of early Ottoman art and architecture. As the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa became the beneficiary of the finest mosques, theological schools (medreses), humanitarian centers (imarets), and social services (hans, hamams, and public fountains). But this city, which is also known for its food, beaches, green parks and more, has a lot more to offer to visitors than just history, much of which will be explored. Bursa, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, has a long history that can be explored at practically every turn.

Today Bursa is a thriving cosmopolitan center with roots in industry and agriculture, renowned for its fine silk and cotton textiles, and the center of Turkey’s automobile industry.

After the Ottomans took the city in 1326, they established Bursa as the imperial capital, which then moved to Edirne and finally Istanbul. The city is doubly important because it holds the tomb of Osman Gazi, who gave his name to the Ottoman dynasty and later the Ottoman Empire. The capture of Bursa was an important step towards the conquest of Constantinople in 1453.

Places to visit in Bursa City

Yesil Turbe (Green Mausoleum) set in a garden and distinguished by its exterior panelling of tiles, the mausoleum holds the cenotaph of Sultan Mehmet I. Across the street, the Yeşil Mosque of 1424 reflects the new Ottoman, as opposed to Seljuk, aestheticism. Named after the green hues of its interior tiles, the beautiful structure is bedecked in intricate carved marble and calligraphy. A madrasah nearby completes the complex and is also home to the Ethnography Museum. Going uphill to the east, you pass the Emir Sultan Mosque in its delightful setting and, after walking through a district of old houses, you reach the Yıldırım Beyazıt Mosque (1391).

Another important mosque is Ulu Camii. It was finished in 1400 on the order of Osman Gazi’s great-grandson Sultan Bayezid I. Despite its 20 domes and 12 columns, Ulu Cami feels much more serene and humble than the grand mosques of Istanbul.

The Koza Han is recoganizable from its huge stone gate with blue geometric designs framing the top. Koza means “cocoon,” and this is an important clue to the han’s history. Bursa was one of the last stops on the Silk Road trading route from China. But the real story began when two missionaries arrived from China 1,500 years ago with silkworm larvae that they had hidden in their clothes. Bursa soon became a center of silk production, and Koza Han was the point where the silk makers gathered to sell their product. Koza Han is still full of traders selling a huge variety of dyed, printed, and embroidered scarves and shawls. There is also a peaceful tea garden in the han’s courtyard.

Uludag Mountain

No mention of Bursa would be complete without talking about Uludag, one of Turkey’s most famous mountains and ski resorts. In the winter, people from all over Turkey come here to do their skiing.

Cumalikizik Village

Cumalikizik is a village located around 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Bursa’s city center, goes back to the Ottoman Empire with a well-protected historical texture. Visitors can walk around on historic cobblestone streets to see 270 Ottoman-era houses all around, which still have the original wrought iron door handles and knockers, as well as a historic mosque. It is a “living Ottoman village” with an unspoiled historical ambiance everyday living, cultural values and natural surroindings where you are sure to step into a time capsule of wooden houses, narrow streets and monumental trees.

Iznik

Located 87km from Bursa is Iznik, formerly known as Nicaea, which lies at the eastern tip of Lake Iznik. The city was founded in 316BC by Antigonas, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. After playing a role as an important Roman, and then Byzantine city, it fell to the Seljuks in 1078 and later to the Ottomans in 1331. The Roman theatre was built by Trajan (249-251) and on the shores of Lake İznik stands the Roman senate, where the first Council of Nicaea took place in 325. At the centre of town is the Church of St Sophia, used for one of the most important councils held in 787 over iconoclasm. The church served as a mosque under the rule of the Ottomans. Iznik co-equals Jerusalem and the Vatican in its importance to the Christian world. Among the important Islamic buildings in town, make sure to visit the turquoise-tiled Yeşil Mosque and the Nilüfer Hatun İmarethanesi. İznik is still a small town whose 114 towers have not exceeded its original 4227m of Roman walls. The four gates which allowed access to the city still stand. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Iznik was the centre of exquisite ceramic ware production which made important contributions to the decorations of mosques and palaces throughout Turkey. A museum displays the finds of nearby excavations. After exploring the sights, the lakeside fish restaurants provide delicious food and a relaxing atmosphere. Five kilometres from İznik, in Elbeyli Village, you can come across a 5th century catacomb and an obelisk 15.5m high built by Cassius Philiscus.

Bursa Tours

If you plan on just a quick architectural and historical pilgrimage, you could reasonably make Bursa a day trip from Istanbul. An overnight excursion is more realistic if you want to make it a short spa getaway and leave time to wander through the exquisite hans (privately owned inns or marketplaces) of the early Ottoman era.

Bursa is in fact calm and welcoming – a perfect place to escape the crowds and frenzy of the megacity. But on top of this, there are Ottoman monuments that rival the mosques of Istanbul, first-class food, and natural beauty only a short drive away. These are more than enough good reasons to visit Bursa.

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