The first capital of the Ottoman Empire… Green Bursa
Among the orchards and stream-watered mountains lies Bursa, a city of brightly colored houses and winding streets dotted with fountains. Where the Ottoman spirit is still present
Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey, located in Anatolia at the foot of Mount Uludag. This province with a population of more than 3 million is located on the lower slopes of Uludag (Mount Olympus in Mysia) in the Marmara region of Anatolia.
Green Bursa name comes from its gardens and parks, and of course from being in the middle of an important fruit-growing area
Being the first Ottoman capital, Bursa is very rich in religious monuments, mosques, shrines and Turkish baths.
Bursa, the destination of tourism in Turkey
Located near the western end of the Silk Road, Bursa is famous for its silk market and exquisite silk products. It is the home of Turkey's Shadow Theater, the original Iskender Kebab, and plenty of parks and green spaces
So, if circumstances lead you to it, here is the list of the best tourist places in Bursa:
Silk bazaar
Koza Han, as it is called in Turkish, was built in 1491 by order of Sultan Bayezid II as a trading place and inn for passing silk caravans and their animals.
Silkworms, which originated in Central Asia, were brought to Bursa centuries ago and allowed a thriving industry upon which the city's wealth was based.
There are two entrances to the square building, which features a large and small courtyard and two halls where the shops are.
Beautiful Ottoman architecture is seen in the arches, columns, red and white stone and marble carvings, as well as the blue Iznik tiles. This tile is a hallmark of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul as well.
One of the most interesting features of the bazaar are the many photos documenting how silk workers lived and worked when silk was still produced in the building as well as signed photos of celebrities and politicians who visited, most notably Queen Elizabeth
Karagoz Museum
Karagöz and Hacivat, the two main characters in the famous Turkish shadow theater, are from Bursa.
This type of entertainment has been popular since the 15th century and continues to this day, not only for children but also for adults because the dialogues are often satirical.
The Turkish shadow theater can be enjoyed in this one-of-a-kind museum, where a master puppeteer is available to explain (in English) not only the background of the art forms and how the puppets are animated but also how they are handcrafted from delicate camel leather.
Uludag mountain cable car
The total length of the Bursa cable car is about 10 km which makes it one of the longest cable car trips in the world. The Bursa cable car takes 40 minutes to the top of Uludag Mountain, which is more than 2,500 meters high above the city.
People travel to Bursa to ski and Uludag Ski Resort becomes a popular tourist destination in Turkey in winter.
Gumalikazek
One of the most famous places of Bursa to visit is the UNESCO World Heritage City Gumalikazek. This 700-year-old village is located in the hills at the foot of Mount Uludag, only about 20 minutes from Bursa city centre.
Lined with narrow cobbled streets and traditional homes that are now family-owned restaurants, souvenir shops and tea cafes
Comments