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Bursa

Modern, industrial Bursa is built around the mosques, mausoleums and other sites from its incarnation as first Ottoman capital. Despite being built-up and somewhat chaotic, its durable Ottoman core and abundant parks keep it remarkably placid in places. For some fresh air after pounding the markets, the soaring peaks of Mt Uludağ (Turkey's premier ski resort) are nearby, with Çekirge's thermal hamams en route.

Bursa was awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 2014 for being the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire. The city's historic contributions to Islamic development have given it an austere reputation. Yet locals are kind and welcoming, and you can take the occasional photo inside historic religious structures (just be respectful). You'll see a majority of headscarved women here and devout prayer in overflowing mosques.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Bursa.

  • Historic Site

    Muradiye Complex

    This Ottoman-era complex incorporates a stately medrese (seminary; 1426) and the equally handsome Sultan Murat II (Muradiye) Cami, also built in 1426, but its most interesting elements are the 12 imperial türbes (tombs) in the cemetery. A number of these tombs are exquisitely decorated with tiles, painted calligraphy and inlaid woodcarving. Don't miss the 14th-century tomb of Cem Sultan (the third son of Mehmet the Conqueror) and 16th-century tombs of Şehzades Mahmud and Ahmed, the sons of Beyazıt II.

  • Mosque

    Yeşil Cami

    Built for Mehmet I, the Yeşil (Green) Cami was completed in 1422 and represents a departure from the previous, Persian-influenced Seljuk architecture that dominated Bursa. Exemplifying Ottoman styling, it contains a harmonious facade and beautiful carved marble work around the central doorway. The mosque was named for the interior walls' greenish-blue tiles.

  • Tomb

    Muradiye Tombs

    Muradiye cemetery's 12 tombs (dating from the 15th and 16th centuries) include the sparsely decorated tomb of Sultan Murat II (r 1421–51) along with the ornate tombs, featuring beautiful İznik tiles, of 11 of his descendants. Murat did the hard work, annexing territories from enemy states during his reign, setting the scene for his son Mehmet II, who would go on to capture Constantinople.

  • Mosque

    Ulu Cami

    This enormous Seljuk-style mosque (1399) is central Bursa's dominating feature. Sultan Beyazıt I built it in a monumental compromise – having pledged to build 20 mosques after defeating the Crusaders in the Battle of Nicopolis, he settled for one mosque with 20 small domes. Two massive minarets augment the domes, while the giant square pillars and portals within are similarly impressive. The minber (pulpit) boasts fine wood carvings, and the walls feature intricate calligraphy.

  • Mosque

    Emir Sultan Cami

    An early Ottoman mosque, the 14th-century Emir Sultan Cami was named for Sultan Beyazıt I's son-in-law and adviser, a Persian scholar-dervish. Today's structure reflects renovations made after an earthquake in 1766, in the then-fashionable Ottoman baroque style, echoing the romantic decadence of baroque and rococo; it's rich in wood, curves and outer painted arches.

  • Castle

    Bursa Citadel

    Some ramparts and walls still survive on the steep cliff that is the site of Bursa's citadel and its oldest neighbourhood, Tophane. Walk up Orhan Gazi (Yiğitler) Caddesi to reach the hisar (fortress). On the summit, a park contains the Tombs of Sultans Osman & Orhan, the Ottoman Empire's founders. Osman Gazi's tomb is the more richly decorated.

  • Market

    Kapalı Çarşı

    Bursa's sprawling Kapalı Çarşı (Covered Market) complex is made up of several historic buildings strung out along Kapalı Çarşı Caddesi, the market's main thoroughfare.

  • Tomb

    Yeşil Türbe

    The mausoleum of 5th Ottoman sultan Mehmed I Çelebi (and several of his children) stands in a cypress-trimmed park opposite the Yeşil Cami. During his short rule (1413–21), he reunited a fractured empire following the Mongols' 1402 invasion. Despite its name, the türbe (tomb) is not green; it has blue Kütahya tiles outside that post-date the 1855 earthquake. The structure has a sublime, simple beauty, the original interior tiles exemplifying 15th-century decor.

  • Historic Building

    Koza Han

    The finely restored Koza Han, with its leafy inner courtyard filled with cafes, is the most popular place to break your market explorations. The surrounding chambers where traders once bunked down for the night are now home to expensive silk shops. The han (caravanserai) was built in 1490 and its small courtyard mosque (1491) honours Yıldırım Beyazıt.