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Bursa
Known as "Green Bursa", this province stands on the lower slopes of Uludag
(Mount Olympos of Mysia, 2543 m) in the Marmara region of Anatolia. The
title "Green" of Bursa comes from its gardens and parks, and of course
from its being in the middle of an important fruit growing region. In
Bursa there are things you should not miss. First of all you are in the
homeland of the delicious "Iskender Kebap", one of the best dishes of
world - famous Turkish Cuisine. The candied chestnuts (Kestane Sekeri) are
a specialty of desserts and have an unforgettable taste. The peaches of
Bursa are unique. As for something to purchase; Bursa is a center of the
silk trade (since first silk cocoons were brought here with the caravans
of the Silk Road) and towel manufacturing. It is also the homeland of the
very famous Turkish folklore figures, Karagöz and Hacivat shadow puppets.
 Because of its being the first Ottoman capital, Bursa is very rich in
religious monuments, mosques, and tombs (turbes), baths. One of the places
to be seen in Bursa is the Yesil Cami (Green Mosque), with its carved
marble doorway which is one of the best in Anatolia. It is an elaborate
and significant building in the new Turkish style. Just opposite, is the
Yesil Türbe (Green Tomb), set in a green garden with an enchanting
exterior decorated with turquoise tiles. Near the tomb, the Medrese
complex (old theological school) now houses the Ethnographical Museum
which certainly deserves visiting. The Yildirim Beyazit Mosque is
important as it is the first one built in the new Ottoman style and is
accompanied by the Emir Sultan Mosque which lies in a peaceful setting.
The province is decorated with these monuments, each of which is a
masterpiece. Here are the Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) built in the Seljuk
style, with impressive calligraphic wall decorations. The Orhan Gazi
Mosque; the "Hisar", an attractive part of the province; the Mausoleums of
Osman, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, and his son Orhan Gazi are other
important sites to visit. The Muradiye Complex has a delightful view with
its mosque and tombs of important characters from the Ottoman era, and
their tiles and charming decorations appeal to the sightseers. The Ottoman
Museum offers a lively exhibit of the traditional life style of Ottomans.
Uludag is the largest and most
celebrated winter-sports and skiing center in Turkey. It is 36 kms from
Bursa and easily accessible by car or cable-car (teleferik). The area is
also a national park and is worth a visit at any time of the year. The
accommodation is high quality offering the opportunity to enjoy the
mountain, with a variety of entertainment and sports activities. On the
way up don't miss the 600-year old plain tree.
Mudanya is a seaside resort town with
fine fish restaurants and night-clubs, so you can have a pleasant vacation
there. The old train station now serves as a charming hotel.
Zeytinbagi (Trilye) is a town of typical Turkish architecture and lay-out.
There are sea bus and ferry connections with Istanbul.
Gemlik (27 km north), is another
seaside resort with a wide, sandy beach. One of the best olive oils of
Turkey comes from this town.
Iznik (Nicaea) lies 85 kms northeast
of Bursa, at the eastern tip of Lake Iznik. The town had a great
importance for Christians because of the Ecumenic Councils, and witnessed
many civilizations which have left their marks all over the land. This
town is famous for its unique tiles and has been the center of tile
production in the 16th century. Iznik tiles were the basic decorative
element of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. The turquoise-tiled Yesil
Mosque and Nilüfer Hatun Imareti are among the Islamic works in the town.
The Museum of 17th century Ottoman Houses
The wooden house in the neighborhood of Muradiye across from the Murad II
mosque complex bears all the characteristics of a house planned and
decorated in the 17th century and is one of the oldest houses in Bursa and
without question the most beautiful. It has a vaulted hall opening onto
the garden and a basement consisting of two low-ceilinged rooms that were
used for winter storage. On the upper floor in what was called the head
room, there is an elegant decor with a magnificent wooden cabinet with
intricate engravings of flowers and plants and the wooden ceiling
decorated with geometric shapes and a six-sided ceiling centerpiece, which
reflect the characteristics and beauty of 17th century decorations.
The Archeological Museum
The museum was first established in 1904 in the Bursa Boys Highschool and
was called the Imperial Museum (Hümayun). From 1972 to the present the
museum has been located inside the Cultural Park. With many exhibits found
in the region of Bithynia and Mysia, it has a cross-section of cultural
items from as early as the 3rd millenium BC to the end of the Byzantine
era. The most important exhibits are the fired clay ceramics found in the
Yortan Graves in the region of Balıkesir (3rd century BC), the stone
cutting instruments and bronze hand axes (2nd century BC) and the clay
jugs and brooches from the Phrygian era and a Phrygian inscription. In the
same display, there two very rare stele in Persian and Greek.
The second salon has stone items from the Roman era. Items of interest
here include portrait sculpture of the 2nd century AD and several
depictions of the gods: busts of Zeus and some reliefs, reliefs of
Herakles and statues of Cybele as well as a altar of Asklepios.
The third salon is an exhibit of items from the classical era. There is a
chronological exhibit of ceramic items from the Archaic, Classic, Roman
and Byzantine periods. There is also a rich detailed selection of clay
figurines and glass-ware from the Roman era taken from the museums
collection. Other rare items include a bronze bust of Apollon and a statue
of Athena, both of which are Roman.
The fourth salon is a chronological display of coins issued by the cities
in the Bithynia and Mysia regions, along with gold and silver coins of the
Roman and Byzantine Empires. In the garden are busts of Herakles and Zeus,
a lion statue and a rich collection of grave and altar steles. Especially
interesting is an exhibition of the finest examples of tomb steles, of
Early Roman to Late Byzantine, and sarcophagi belonging to the same age
which can be seen here.
Churches and Synagogues
Bursa is one of the provinces which has been the cradle of a number of
civilizations and religious from the pre-Christian era to the present.
There are many Christian, Jewish and Muslim structures still standing and
now under government protection. Of the 17 church councils so important
for the Christian faith convened between 324 and 1563, eight of them were
held in Turkey and the 1st and 7th were held in Iznik. Iznik is one of 8
different pilgrimage points in Turkey and the most important.
Gerus Synagogue: Selim II had the
synagogue built at the beginning of the 16th century. It is located on
Arap Şükrü Street. The Jews exiled from Spain at the end of the 14th
century and were put on galleons sent by the Ottoman Empire and given
refuge. The first groups were settled in Bursa and this synagogue was
built for them. The fact that this synagogue was called Gerush, which
means 'driven away' in Hebrew, is very symbolic of their suffering.
The Gerus Synagogue is still in excellent shape today. It is well-maintained
and open for worshippers. The medallions found on either side of the Ehal
Akodesh cabinet, where the Torah is kept, have Hebraic inscriptions
recording the construction date and the name of the master builder. There
is no other inscription showing any other details of construction.
Ets Ahayim Synagogue: (The Tree of Life)
It is a significant synagogue in that it is the first one built during the
Ottoman period. A imperial edict made during the reign of Orhan Bey, the
conqueror of Bursa, gave permission for the establishment of this
synagogue.
Mayor Synagogue: The groups of Jews from the Spanish island of Mallorca
who were offered refuge by the Ottoman Empire were settled in Bursa and
built this synagogue. The name is derived from the name of the island from
which they had come. The synagogue is presently open for events and the
section reserved for the washing of the dead is still being used.
The French Church: Built of stone, the
pulpit and mihrab are in separate small rooms. The church is covered with
a roof of wood and clay tiles. There was a recovery room for the sick
here. It is thought to have been built in the 19th century.
H. Georgios Church: (Gölyazı) Built in
the second half of the 19th century, the church is a rectangle whose walls
are built using alternating layers of brick and rubble. Part of the
original wood structure remains.
The Church of Harmanlı Village: (Karacabey) Started in 1833, the building
was not finished until 1903. Today the roof of the church is gone and many
of the walls have fallen down.
Iznik Church: A rectangular church
most likely built in the 7th century. There are 9 different sections in
the church. The walls are made of stone and brick and the vaults in the
ceiling are brick.
Koimesis Tes Theotokos: (Iznik)
Koimesis means the 'Death of Mary.' The church is believed to have been
built in the 8th century and gets its name from the frescoes portraying
the death of Mary. The church was completely destroyed in 1922. Only the
marble foundations remain.
The Church of St. Tryphonos: (İznik)
Built by the edict of Emperor T. Laskaris in the 8th century, it has a
rectangular design with four supports in the shape of a Greek cross. The
walls are built using the alternating technique, in which one layer of
rubble is covered with two to four layers of brick. The column and column
heading are marble.
The Church of Karakoca Village:
(Karacabey) The church was built in 1847 in honor of Zoodochos Pege. Today
little more than a ruin, the top level has completely fallen in.
Koımesıs Tes Theotokos: (Demirtaş) Built in 1834 and converted to a mosque
in 1924, the church is a basilica. The walls are made of brick and rubble.
The Church of H. Konstantınos: (Helena)
(Gölyazı) Found on the Manastir Island in Lake Uluabat, the church was
built in the 4th and 5th centuries. The walls of this Greek - cross type
church are made of 5 levels of brick alternating with a level of rough cut
stone.
The Church of Kumyaka: (Mudanya) Built
between 780-797 AD during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Konstantinos
Porphyrogenetos IV, the church is a square with a large dome in the middle
and 4 vaulted sides forming the shape of a cross . The walls are made of
brick and stone and the roof is tile.
The Church of Michael Taxiarches: (Demirtaş) The church was built in the
19th century and turned into a mosque in 1948. It is a rectangular
structure with a wooden ceiling. The inner walls made of rubble were taken
out.
The Church of Mudanya: (Mudanya) Built in 1834, the church is
rectangular in shape. On the eastern side of the church there is a half-circle
apse. The walls made of cut stone are covered in places with marble.
The Church of Theodoros: (Calı) Two
parts of this Byzantine structure remain here. One is the remains of a
wall of a city of antiquity upon which a village was later constructed.
The other is The Church of St. Theodoros. Little is known about this
church.
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