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Bursa, Turkey

Home → Cities in Turkey → Bursa, Turkey

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Bursa lies in the northwestern part of Turkey near the Sea of Marmara, about 20 km inland.

Bursa was the first major city the Ottomans, who started as a small emirate in the countryside just east of Bursa, had taken control of. As such, it served as the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire, from 1326, when it was captured from the Byzantines, to 1365, when the capital was moved to Edirne in European Turkey, as sultans started to turn their attention to Europe. Most of the historic sights of the city date back to this early period of the Ottomans.

Today, with a population of more than 2,500,000, Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey after Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. It is famous for its peach, chestnut, and silk, although lately, heavy industry located in the outskirts of the city has surpassed these traditional industries.

Furthermore, Uludağ one of the highest mountains in Turkey—lies very close to Bursa and is the main winter sports center of Turkey.

History


Bursa dates back to at least 200 BC. According to legend, it was founded by Prusias, the King of Bithynia, but soon came under the sway of Eumenes II of Pergamum and thereafter under Roman rule.

Bursa first grew to importance in the early centuries of Christianity, when the thermal baths at Çekirge were first developed. However, it was Justinian I (r AD 527–65) who really put Bursa on the map.

With the decline of the Byzantine Empire, Bursa’s location near Constantinople attracted the interest of would-be conquerors, including Arabs and Seljuks. Having seized much of Anatolia by 1075, the Seljuks took Bursa (then Prusa) with ease. But 22 years later the First Crusade arrived, and the city entered a cycle of conquest and reconquest, changing hands periodically for the next 100 years.

After the Turkish migrations into Anatolia during the 11th and 12th centuries, small principalities arose around individual Turkish warlords. One such warlord was Ertuğrul Gazi, who formed a small state near Bursa. In 1317 Bursa was besieged by his son Osman’s forces and was starved into submission on 6 April 1326. Under the rule of Osman Gazi, Bursa became the capital of the nascent empire that took Osman’s name, Osmanlı (Ottoman).

Osman was succeeded by Orhan Gazi (r 1326–59), who expanded the empire to include everything from what is now Ankara to Adrianople (Edirne), effectively encircling the Byzantine capital at Constantinople. Orhan took the title of sultan, struck the first Ottoman coinage, and, near the end of his reign, was able to dictate to the Byzantine emperors, one of whom, John VI Cantacuzene, became his close ally and father-in-law.

Although the Ottoman capital moved to Edirne in 1402, Bursa remained an important city. Both Osman and Orhan were buried there; their tombs are still important monuments.

With the founding of the Turkish Republic, Bursa started to develop as an industrial centre. In the 1960s and ‘70s boom times arrived as Fiat (Tofaş) and Renault established factor­ies here. Today it’s still a major commercial centre and one of Turkey’s wealthiest cities.

Must see places in Bursa


  • Ulucami, (in downtown),  the “great mosque” of Bursa. Built in early Ottoman period, in 1399, it resembles more of earlier Seljuq buildings of inland Anatolia than the typical Ottoman mosques such as Blue Mosque of Istanbul built later. Ulucamii is perhaps most reknown for the striking calligraphic panels that adorn its walls and columns as well as the fountain within the mosque whose trickling sounds contribute to its serene atmosphere.
  • Orhan Camii ve Külliyesi (Orhan Mosque)
  • Yeşil Camii(Green Mosque)This mosque is in the Yesil or ‘green’ district of Bursa just left over the bridge. It contains a wonderful Turbe or tomb completely covered by tiles inside and out. The mosque opposite is very unusual in that it has a fountain inside the prayer area – with lots of legends attached to it. It is also built in a cruciform shape. No one knows why. Beside it are tea gardens with spectacular views over the Bursa valley and Uludag mountain.
  • Emir Sultan Camii
  • Muradiye Camii
  • Hüdavendigar Camii
  • Yıldırım Camii
  • Koca Sinan Paşa
  • İshak Paşa Külliyeleri
  • Celal Bayar Müzesi
  • Yeşil Türbe(Green Tomb) is the tomb of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1412-1420) and is the iconic monument of the city.
  • Emir Sultan Türbesi
  • Gazi Timurtaş Paşa Türbesi
  • Gazi Osman Türbesi is the tomb of the first Ottoman sultan located in the Tophane district
  • Orhan Gazi Türbesi is the tomb of the second Ottoman sultan, the son of Osman. It’s located immediately next to his father’s tomb in the Tophane district.
  • The Muradiye Complex surrounding the Muradiye Mosque is a small necropolis filled with tombs of illustrious Ottoman figures such as Murat II; Prince Mustafa, son of Suleiman the Great; Gülbahar Hanım, midwife of Mehmet the Conqueror and various wives of sultans.
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, (Part of Yeşil Camii complex). Jewelry boxes, vases and pottery, belts an, accessories and clothes, tools, manuscripts, and more. Small, but free museum is worth seeing if you are already at at Yeşil Camii and Yeşil Türbe. Free.  edit
  • İnkaya  a huge centuries-old (well, approximately 600 years, to be precisely) plane (Platanus orientalis) tree with an open-air café sheltered by its deep shadow, on the foothills of (and just off the road to) Uludağ.
  • Darüzziyafe. A poorhouse during the Ottoman period, this building now serves as a family restaurant (with no alcohol service).It is a stunningly restored building in the Muradiye district of Bursa. The garden has wonderful views of Bursa. The cuisine is pure Ottoman and difficult to find in a modern Turkish city.[8]
  • Sarı Konak In Tophane.
  • Balıbey Han
  • Koza Han
  • Irgandı Köprüsü (Bridge)in Setbasi.Its an old version of shopping malls.There are small shops on bridge.
  • Cumalıkızık, a village founded more than 700 years old. There are 265 centuries-old half timbered houses in the village and approximately 190 of them are still occupied.

 

bursa-turkey

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Rating: +1989 (from 1989 votes)
Bursa, Turkey, 100% based on 1989 ratings
By ARTEMIS on June 1, 2001   /   Cities in Turkey, Must-See Places in Turkey   /   125 Comments
Tags: bursa, cities in turkey, inkaya, uludag
125 Reviews
  1. Kathleen G
    7:39 am on August 7, 2005

    So beautiful. I could see it again and again. The tile work is magnificent. Read a good guidebook to fully appreciate the history here. Or wait for the local carpet salesman to offer you a tour–just start speaking english and he'll show up. He has a nice store right nearby–way better deals than Istanbul!

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  2. Lemon A
    4:15 pm on October 30, 2005

    'The Ulu Camii'= The Great Mosque is a must visit when you spend a few days in Turkey. The beautiful architecture, mind blowing callegraphy all around the mosque's walls, and the beautiful small water fountain in the center (originally created for Muslims' ablution before praying) give the place a great atmosphere and brings a sense of deep imitation. As a…

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  3. CoveCobra
    9:58 pm on November 29, 2005

    We visited the Green Mosque just after Friday midday prayer. Really busy. This was the first Mosque we visited in Turkey and really enjoyed the visit. Is situated on a hill top and gives a great view, The Mosque itself was impressive.

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  4. J B
    3:39 pm on January 1, 2006

    I went there with a local friend from Bursa to purchase silk scarves. There are many types available, but I like the hand-painted ones the best.

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  5. MadaleineB
    12:26 pm on February 27, 2006

    Definitely go here to see an incredible selection of silk vendors, and the best prices in Bursa- perhaps all of Turkey. You are buying real silk, so don't expect a bargain but to get a good price, buy everything from 1 shop.

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  6. ddevronn
    12:02 pm on March 12, 2006

    This old time "shopping mall" is full of beautiful silks. scarves, dresses, ties…. all sorts. But I personally thought that the courtyard itself was the main sight. With a few big maples trees in the middle, it is a must to enjoy a glass of tea and the grand old building.

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  7. Austin S
    5:27 pm on March 25, 2006

    Once the capital of Turkey, this place is known for its Magnificent Scenery & is also home to one of the highest points in Turkey called Mount Olympus (2500m above sea level). After a 3 hours Road and Ferry ride from Istanbul, enjoy a Cable car ride to and from the top of the mountain and witness the Wonderful sceneries…

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  8. mariabud
    3:47 pm on March 30, 2006

    lovely – has real atmosphere. Take time to wander around the surrounding side streets and bazaar. Drink tea in the square and just people watch…amazing!

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  9. suefeathers
    10:06 am on April 18, 2006

    A beautiful courtyard with tiny shops int he arches and coffee shops at ground level. If only all shopping were like this! Most of the shops carry imports but one or two had genuine Bursa silks and lovely wool and cashmere scarves.

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  10. firofiro
    12:22 pm on May 11, 2006

    Please update the location on the map, currently the pointer on the map is pointing to wrong location

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