Bursa Attractions
The Early Ottoman capital of Bursa, formerly called Broussa and known in antiquity as Prusa, lies about 100km/62mi south of Istanbul as the crow flies, and some 30km/19mi inland from the Sea of Marmara. It occupies a limestone terrace on the northwest side of Uludag, the terrace being dissected by the Gök Dere and the Djilimbos, two mountain streams.
The City
Blessed with a delightful climate and the loveliest of settings south of the Karadag coastal uplands, Bursa with its picturesque Old Town and magnificent buildings (mosques and türbes) is one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey. The city also enjoys a long-standing reputation as a spa, the thermal springs in the northwestern suburb of Çekirge, popular even in Roman times, attracting large numbers of visitors (modern baths and up-to-date treatment facilities). Agriculture, mainly fruit and vegetable-growing, flourishes in the fertile surrounding countryside; Bursa peaches are renowned throughout Turkey). With its several large textile factories centered around an efficient and productive silk-spinning mill, Bursa, provincial capital and university town (faculty of agriculture), is one of Turkey's most prosperous communities. In recent years a number of metal-working companies have also become established.
History
The town is said to have been founded by King Prusias I of Bythnia in 186 B.C., the first settlement being on the citadel hill. Under Trajan the baths were rebuilt, and a library was established by Pliny the Younger, then governor of Bythnia. In Byzantine times the town's prosperity continued to rely mainly on its thermal springs. After falling into Seljuk hands in 1097, followed by another period of Byzantine rule, Bursa became the first capital of the Ottoman Sultans, a status it retained until 1361. Its great heyday was in the 15th century, which has left many monuments of art and architecture. During the 19th century it suffered destruction by fire and earthquake.
The City
Blessed with a delightful climate and the loveliest of settings south of the Karadag coastal uplands, Bursa with its picturesque Old Town and magnificent buildings (mosques and türbes) is one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey. The city also enjoys a long-standing reputation as a spa, the thermal springs in the northwestern suburb of Çekirge, popular even in Roman times, attracting large numbers of visitors (modern baths and up-to-date treatment facilities). Agriculture, mainly fruit and vegetable-growing, flourishes in the fertile surrounding countryside; Bursa peaches are renowned throughout Turkey). With its several large textile factories centered around an efficient and productive silk-spinning mill, Bursa, provincial capital and university town (faculty of agriculture), is one of Turkey's most prosperous communities. In recent years a number of metal-working companies have also become established.
History
The town is said to have been founded by King Prusias I of Bythnia in 186 B.C., the first settlement being on the citadel hill. Under Trajan the baths were rebuilt, and a library was established by Pliny the Younger, then governor of Bythnia. In Byzantine times the town's prosperity continued to rely mainly on its thermal springs. After falling into Seljuk hands in 1097, followed by another period of Byzantine rule, Bursa became the first capital of the Ottoman Sultans, a status it retained until 1361. Its great heyday was in the 15th century, which has left many monuments of art and architecture. During the 19th century it suffered destruction by fire and earthquake.
Read More
Uludag
Uludag is a prominent ski resort and beautiful mountain area, popular in both summer and winter.
Read More
Great Mosque
Built in the 14th C, this pillared mosque has 20 domes, with a fountain basin below the main dome.
Read More
Green Mosque
One of the great achievements of Ottoman architecture is the Green Mosque, built in the early 15th C.
Read More
Muradiye Camii
Muradiye Camii was built in 1447 and displays a beautiful tiled ceiling, a lovely fountain in the forecourt, gardens, and domed türbes of Murat II and his family.
Read More
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art focuses on art of the Ottoman period, and is located in the 15th C Yesil Medrese.
Read More
Thermal Baths
These Thermal Baths have been have been used for centuries. The Old Bath was built by Sultan Murat I, while the New Bath, an architectural masterpiece, was built in the 16th C.
Archeological Museum
The Bursa Archeological Museum, originally housed in the Green Medrese, was moved in 1972 to a new building in the Çekirge Park of Culture (2km/1.25mi northwest of the center of Bursa). The museum has four exhibition halls, storerooms, a library and a laboratory.
Atatürk Museum
On the south side of Bursa is a handsome late 19th century house in which the "Father of modern Turkey" stayed during his thirteen visits to Bursa between 1923 and 1938. Converted to a museum in 1973 it contains furniture and personal effects belonging to Atatürk and a variety of documentation on his life.
Bazaar Quarter
The bazaar quarter (Atpazari) in Bursa was badly damaged by the 1855 earthquake and a fire in 1957, but has recently been restored. Notable features are the Bedesten (market hall) with its fourteen domes, one of the earliest of its kind (ca. 1400), and several hans (caravanserais).
Green Mausoleum
Facing the Green Mosque in Bursa, rather higher up, is the Green Mausoleum (Yesil Türbe) of Mehmet I, a domed octagonal building clad externally with the green tiles with which parts of the interior walls are still faced. The missing tiles have been replaced with modern reproductions.
On the octagonal base is Mehmet I's sarcophagus, with superb tile decoration (floral motifs, calligraphic inscriptions).
On the octagonal base is Mehmet I's sarcophagus, with superb tile decoration (floral motifs, calligraphic inscriptions).
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
