Bursa

The city of Bursa, southeast of the Sea of Marmara, lies on the lower slopes of Uludag (Mt. Olympos of Mysia, 2543meters). The city derives its name from its founder King Prusias of Bithynia. Its previous antique name was Prussaad Hypium. It subsequently came under Roman, then Byzantine rule before falling to Orhan Gazi in 1326, when itbecame the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Many important Ottoman buildings remain.

Known as "Green Bursa", the city is filled with gardens and parks and overlooks a verdant plain. It is at the centerof an important fruit growing region. Bursa was, and is still, famous for its peaches, silk trade, towel manufactureand thermal springs. Make a point to try the locally-created iskender Kebab, a dish of bread, tomato sauce, strips of grilled meat, melted butter and yogurt. Candied chestnuts are another regional specialty. more

A tour of the city begins in the eastern section at the Yesil Tiirbe (Green Mausoleum) Set in a garden anddistinguished by its exterior paneling of tiles, the mausoleum holds the tiled cenotaph of Sultan Mehmet I. Acrossthe street, the Yesil Mosque of 1424 reflects the new Ottoman, as opposed to Seljuk, aesthetic. A medresenearby completes the complex and is also home to the Ethnography Museum. Before exploring this area, stop for a glass of tea in one of the traditional tea houses. Going uphill, to the east, you pass by the Emir Sultan Mosque in its delightful setting, and after walking through a district of old houses you reach the Yildinm Bayezid Mosque (1391).

Now make your way to Cumhuriyet Square (known locally as Heykel) and stroll along Ataturk Avenue to Kora Parkwhere outdoor cafes are set among flowers and fountains. At the back of the park, a long building, the Koza Han(1490). houses the silk cocoon trade. From here you proceed to the covered bazaar area, with its narrow streets, caravanserais and bedesten. On the other side of Koza Park stands one of Bursa's oldest religious buildings, theOrhan Gazi Mosque, built in 1339. Nearby is the large Ulu Mosque, constructed in the Seljuk style. A finely carvedwalnut mimber (speaker's platform) and impressive calligraphic panels decorate the mosque. The Şadirvan(ablutionary fountain) lies uncharacteristically within the mosque itself under the ceiling of twenty domes.

Walking west from the Ulu Mosque you arrive at Hisar. an old and picturesque quarter of Bursa. In the park thatoverlooks the valley are the mausoleums of Osman, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, and his son Orhan Gazi,who commanded the army that conquered Bursa. The cafes of Tophane offer a good place to stop for refreshment.

At the Yildiz Park Tea Gardens in the Muradiye quarter, you get a superb view of the Muradiye Complex. The compound,in a tranquil park-like setting, contains the Mosque of Sultan Murat II (1426) built in the style of the Yesil Mosque andthe tombs of Murat II, Şehzade Cem and Şehzade Mustafa. These contain some of the loveliest decoration and tilework. The nearby Ottoman House Museum is in a restored 17th century dwelling that provides an interesting glimpseinto the lives of wealthy Ottomans.

Other places of interest in Bursa include the Culture Park with the Bursa Archaeological Museum, TOFAS Museumof Anatolian Cars which has been opened recently, the Atatiirk Museum on the road to Cekirge and the City Museum.

The western suburb of Cekirge has been known since Roman times for its warm springs rich in minerals. Manymodern hotels have thermal bath facilities or, you can also visit the old hamams. Yeni Kaplica (New Spring) was builtin 1552 by Rustem Pasa, the Grand Vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent. The Eski Kaplica (Old Spring), built on the siteof the original Byzantine baths, is the oldest bath. The Karamustafa Pasa baths are reputed to have the best hot mineral waters in the area. Buildings of interest in Cekirge include the Mosque and Mausoleum of Murat I and the tomb of Suleyman Celebi, a religious poet. The monument to Karagöz commemorates the character whose humorous anticsare immortalized in Turkish Shadow Puppet Theater.

Thirty-six kilometers from Bursa is Uludag, the largest center for winter sports in Turkey and offers a variety of activities, accommodation and entertainment. The slopes are easily reached by car or cable car (teleferik). December to May isthe best time for skiing, although the area, Uludag National Park, is well worth a visit at any time of the year for thelovely views and wonderful fresh air.

A seaside resort town 25 km from Bursa, Mudanya's fine fish restaurants and nightclubs are popular with the residentsof Bursa. The Armistice Museum is also worth a visit. Just 12 km from Mudanya, Zeytinbagi (Tirilye) exemplifies the architecture and layout of a typical Turkish town.

The Gulf of Gemlik 29 km from Bursa has wide sandy beaches, of which Kumla is the favorite.