THE BURSA CITADEL
The construction of the citadel was commenced by the Bithynians, whereas the Romans, Byzantines
and Ottomans made additions or renovations whenever they were deemed necessary. A significant
portion of the cyclopian stones seen as used in the construction of the citadel wall are of Roman origin
and are mostly colums, pieces of sarcophagi, statue pedestals, inscribed stone panels. Theses pieces
are used densely especially to the east of the citadel gate. Only the southern section of the citadel walls
were reinforced with double-walled five-cornered towers.
In the year 1326, the walls of Bursa, recently captured from the Byzantine Empire, were reinforced
with triangular towers by Orhan Gazi. Between the areas of Çakır Ağa Hamam| and Tophane, there are
ruins of three Iarge towers, one of them cylindricaI, the other two triangular in shape. Hisar Kapı(Citadel
Door), Iocated between these two places, was demolished during the earthquake of 1855 in the walls
stretching southwards from YıIdız Kahve (Star Coffee House), you can observe round arches and
Ioopholes. The Kaplıca Kapı (Spa Gate) is Iocated in front of the coffee house. Then, the walls mostly in
ruins continue towards the Zindan Kapı (DungeonGate). The angled tower next to the Zindan Kapı was
built by Çelebi Sultan Mehmet in the year 1418.
This section of the walls is relatively welI-preserved, and continues from Zindan Kapı to Uftade, and
then on to join the Pınarbaşı Kapısı (Spring Gate) and back to the Çakır Ağa Hamamı. The walls that
extend parallel to each other between the Pınarbaşı and Zindan gates have been stripped of their cut
stone sections, whereas only the sections made of unhewn stone and Iime and sand mortar remain
upright today. The second row of walls between Pınarbaşı Gate and Zindan Gate are now Iost between
houses. The remaining wall section in this neighborhood was severely damaged in order to construct
houses and partitions.
THE VILLAGE OF CUMALIKIZIK
10 km. east of Bursa, the road Ieading from the Bursa-Ankara road to the skirts of UIudağ will bring
you to the village of Cumalıkızık. You can reach the village with public transport from the city center.
Cumalıkızık was a village created by a trust fund, or ''Vakıf'' during the years Bursa was settled by the
Ottomans.
The village has maintained it's historical character and presents one of the finest examples of early
Ottoman rural civilian architecture.
Koza Han(The Cocoon Han)
This Han is located on the vast area between the UIucamii Mosque and the Orhan Mosque. The Han
was built in 1492 by Bayezid II in order to assure income for his mosque and complex which were under
construction in lstanbuI. The architect of the han is AbdüI-ula bin Pulad Shah.
Koza Han has two storeys. There are 50 rooms on the top floor and 45 on the ground floor. The main
northern door made of stone and is exquisitely decorated with carvings in relief. On the top floor, there is a
door opening to the south, a Iarge door opening to additional doors in the courtyard, and from the
courtyard a wide door facing the direction of the Orhan Mosque. In the center of the spacious interior
courtyard, there is a masjid (small mosque) The masjid has eight facades, and is set on eight corner
pillars and one center pillar. The lower part constitutes an ablution fountain. Today, Koza Han is the center
of the renown silk business of Bursa.
Fidan Han (The Sapling Han)
This han is one of the important hans of Bursa. It was buut by Ibrahim Pasha, son of Grand Vizier
Mehmet Ağa, in the 15th century. The han used to be known as the Mahmut Pasha han.
The han, Iocated in the northeast of Koza Han, has two courtyards. In the center, there is a pool with
a masjid placed over it. The two storey arcade pillars and the facades of the arches are made of brick and
unhewn stone. The arcade is decorated with three rows of stalactite fringes. The main han surrounding
the first courtyard has 48 rooms on the Iower floor and 50 rooms on the upper floor. The rooms of the
Iower floor have circular vaults whereas the arcade has continuous vaults. The upper floor arcade domed
rooms are covered by vaults.
Pirinç Han(The Brass Han)
This han was built by Bayezid II in 1508 to assure revenue for his mosque and soup kitchen in
IstanbuI. The architects of the edifice are Yakup Shah bin Sultan Shah and AIi bin Abdullah, and the
construction supervised by Ecebey bin Abdullah and Nazır Muhiddin.
The upper floor of the han has suffered severe damage. The han has a splendid door decorated with
relief motifs opening eastwards. Before its demolition, there were 38 rooms on the Iower floor and 40
rooms on the upper floor. A masjid is Iocated in the center of the courtyard. The han was constructed
solely for trade purposes. The restoration of the Han is continuing.
Ipek Han (The Silk Han)
It is the largest han in Bursa. Only the west part of the recently restored han was stili standing. There
are 39 rooms on the ground floor and 42 on the upper floor. The han has walls decorated with dressed stone and a single row of bricks and rounc arches. The entrance was reconstructed, whereas it is not the original one.
The han was commissioned by Çelebi Sultan Mehmet to the architect Hacı ivaz Pasha in order to finance
the YeşiI Mosque complex.
Emir Han
This han was built by Orhan Bey. The han that was known as OId Bezazistan untiI 1522 then took the
name of Emir (Bey) Han. This han was constructed in accordance with ali conditions of inner city trade.
The lower floor is arched and the rooms are without windows, to be used as storerooms, whereas
the rooms on the upper floor have windows and stoves. This had had both residential and office space.
The materials used for the building are cut stone and brick. it consists of a two-storey vaulted arcade set
on thick pillars, the arches opening to vaulted rooms. There are 36 rooms on the Iower and 37 rooms on
the upper floor.
Geyve Han
This han was built in the fifteenth century by Hacı ivaz Pasha and presented to Çelebi Sultan Mehmet
to assure income for the YeşiI Mosque. It is located in the DemirkapıBazaar. The han was previously also
called Lonca Han (guild han).
The han was constructed of brick and unhewn stone, and decorated with stalactite fringes. The
pillars and the arches are made of brick. The rooms are covered by circular vaults.
The two-storey han has 26 rooms on the Iower Ievel and 30 on the upper IeveI. The four facaded
building has two entrances. The door on the west facade is enclosed on both sides by a arched barrel
vault.
IRGANDI BRIDGE
Irgand|Bridge was constructed by Pir AIi in 1442.There were 31 shops,a masjid and 2 depots on the
bridge.
It suffered severe damage by earthquake in 1885.After the War of lndepence,it was rebuilt as
wooden.
The bridge is one of the four bridges in the world which have shops on.
THE PLANE TREE OF INKAYA
This plane stands in the village of Inkaya, on the road Ieading from Çekirge up into the UIudağ
Mountain. As a result of calculations, the tree is thought to be 600 years old.
The circumference of the trunk measures 9. 45 meters, it's diameter 3 meters.
The tree has 13 main branches and is 35 meters high.
With it's splendid foliage, the plane grants cool shadow and peaceful moments to visitors from all
over Turkey and the world.
COVERED BAZAAR
During the reign of Orhan Gazi, covered bazaars were constructed by covering the spaces between hans with frameworks. So the Covered Bazaar took its shape. Sections of Covered Bazaar were damagedm tepe, is located on Orhaneli road and is surrounded byrstıf village. in Misi, wine production dates back to the periods in which Rums
The gathering place for the Iast congregation is composed of six piers interconnected through the
arches supporting the five domes. The entrance to the Iower floor Ieads through a Iow-ceiling, vaulted
section. On each side of the halI, there are staircases Ieading to the upper floor. The hail consists of a
domed and vaulted long eyvan. To the left and right side of ti central area are two eyvans, and each corner
forms a vaulted celI. A small let into the wall serves as the mihrab.
The staircases Iead to the upper floor arcade. The arcade consists of twin ve-unit, pointed arches
placed on six piers. A passage from the arcade Ieads to a corridor opening onto 12 cells. The cells are
barreI-vaulted, as are the four rooms on the flank used as classrooms. The single minaret is constructed
of brick.
The balcony of the minaret is decorated with six rows of stalactites, worked in the double chain,
single chain, bird beak an herringbone motifs. The marble columns and capitals were taken from
Byzantine structures and reused here.
The Tomb of Murat Hüdavendigar
The tomb Iies opposite the Hüdavendigar Mosque. It belongs to the third Ottoman ruler, Murat I
Hüdavendigar who fell in the battle of Kosovo in 1389. The tomb was built by Yildirim Bayezid. In Iater
years, the tomb underwent extensive restoration, and was rebuilt a second time on the original
foundation. The tomb is o a square plan. The dome is placed on an octagonal rim carried by the arches
connecting eight columns. The vaults covering the tomb around the dome are Iead-plated. The
fundaments of the northern facade are reinforced by three stanchions. The sarcophagus belonging to
Murat l lies in the center of the tomb, between that of his grand son SüIeyman Çelebi and in the other side
Musa Çelebi, Yildirim's son. Hüdavendigar's son Yakup Çelebi SüIeyman Çelebi's son Orhan and Sultan
Bayezid lI's son Shahzade are buried by the side of the window. It is not known whom the remaining
two sarcophag belong to.
The Murat Hüdavendigar Hamam
This building, also known as the 136 Bachelor's Bathhouse, or the Cıkcık hamam, was built at the
same time as the Hüdavendigar Mosque as a complementary to it. It is Iocated to the east of the mosque.
The exterior is placed on a square plan. The bathhouse has a toilet and two vaulted cells on the right
hand side. It was conceived as an addition to the school of theology. The brace is decorated with
diamond shapes and tulip motifs in relief. it is placed on an octagonal rim. The roof is tiled and the walls
built of unhewn stone.
The Murat I Soup Kitchen
This building is Iocated in the west of the mosque. According to the wording of the six rows of
inscription above the stone-framed, Iow-arched doorway, the building was restored in 1906.
As a result of these restoration works which completely changed the building, the soup kitchen was
divided into spacious halls, the roof covered with wood planks and then tiled. Of the ve original oven
Iocations, only three remain. These fireplaces have great tiled chinmeys. This section of the building has
no roof and is shaped Iike a courtyard. The walls are built with three rows of brick alternating with one
wide row of unhewn stone. The windows and doors ali have stone frames, and low brick arches.
The building that was restored by the Provincial Directorate of Tourism in 1998-1999 is now used as
their management building .
THE MURADIYE MOSQUE COMPLEX
The Muradiye Mosque
The mosque is the most exquisite edifice within the complex that gives it's name to the
neighborhood. It was built by Sultan Murat II during the years 1425-1426. At the section of the final
congregation, four piled bases and two granite columns are connected to each other by arches. Two
sides are covered by diagonal vaults, the remaining by domes placed on octagonal rims The door is one
of the most beautiful examples of wood craftsmanship. The base of the doors are covered with tiles
decorated in the rumi style and with calligraphy. The window pediments are decorated in the same style.
The mosque is covered by a main dome and two small domes, each covering a Iarge eyvan. The
mihrab and minbar were made in rococo style in the year 1790. The walls on the Ieft of the mihrab are
covered by hexagonal tiles in dark blue and turquoise. AIso the eyvan archway is decorated with
hexagonal turquoise tiles. The mezzanine is reached through a door in the right eyvan.
The walls alternate between three rows of brick, one row of unhewn stone and another of upright
brick. The rim bricks also exhibit intricate masonry. The upper sections of the windows are finished in
pointed arches The east and west doors were opened following repairs in the 20th century. The minaret
demolished in the 19th century was reconstructed. The arcade facade, which is made of brick and
decorated with arabesque motifs is noteworthy.
The complex are included;
THE HATUNIYE SULTAN TOMB,
THE TOMB OF THE CONCUBINES,
THE TOMB OF SHAHZADE AHMED,
THE TOMB OF MURAT II AND ALAADDIN,
THE TOMB OF SHAHZADE MUSTAFA,
THE TOMB OF GÜLŞAH HATUN,
THE TOMB OF MUKRIME HATUN,
THE TOMB OF SHAHZADE MAHMUT,
THE TOMB OF SHAHZADE MUSTAFA AND CEM SULTAN,
THE TOMB OF EBE HATUN,
THE TOMB OF SIRIN HATUN.
The Muradiye School of Theology
The school of theology, constructed at the beginning of the 15th century by Murat II, is currently used
as a clinic by the Tuberculosis Prevention Foundation. The central courtyard which measures 17 x 17
meters is reached by the eyvan to the north of the building.
The arcade around the courtyard is supported by 12 pillars, two of which are columns of marble and
the remaining of brick. The spacious eyvan in the south is covered by a Iead plated dome placed on an
octagonal rim. There are 16 cells surrounding the courtyard. The cells are covered by diagonal vaults and
each has a window and a stove. The walls of the Iarge eyvan, used as a classroom, are covered by
turquoise and dark blue glazed tiles up to theheightof2. 6 meters. The walls are built of unhewn stone and
bricks and decorated with pointed fringes. The brick craftsmen have created a masterpiece in this school
of theology, which is considered to be the most beautiful school of theology of Bursa.
The Muradiye Hamam
The entrance to this splendid edifice is through the eastern door. The cold section is covered by a
brick dome placed on a double octagonal rim. The passage from the cold section to the warm section is
through a d or in the southern facade. The warm, section consists of two eyvans and is covered by a
small dome. From here passage into the two retreats is possible. The walls of the bathhouse are built of
two or three rows of unhewn stone and three rows of brick.
The Muradiye Soup Kitchen
This building Iies in the northeast of the Muradiye Mosque, and was built during the reign of Murat ll
for the purpose of cooking food for and distributing it to the poor. As a result of restoration, the soup
kitchen became what we see today The entrance facade has a wide door and ve circular, arched
windows. The rectangular chamber is connected to the oven, the replace and the water source. The oven
Iies in the east side in the north Iies a second smaller chamber, covered by a small dome set on an
octagonal rim decorated with stalactites. The walls are built of three rows of brick and a row ofset unhewn
stone.
THE TOMB OF OSMAN GAZI
It is said that during the extended siege of Bursa, Osman Gazi said to his son Orhan Bey "Son, when
I die, Iet me be Iaid to rest beneath the silver dome of Bursa. " This domed structure, actually Iocated at
the entrance of the Tophane Park on the left-hand side, was the chapel of a monastery.
After the conquest of Bursa, the chapel was converted into a masjid and Osman Gazi, true to his wilI,
Iaid to rest here. This chapeI, part of the Saint EIias Monastery, was set on an octagonal base, it's width 8.
3 meters, divided into semi-circular niches, set off by pilasters. This chapeI, known to have been built in
the 11th century was very similar to other examples of Roman architecture.
Today, the coffins buried in the narthex section of the chapel exposed on the west side. The tomb
demolished by the earthquake of 1855 was rebuilt by Sultan AbdüIaziz in 1863, who remained faithful to
the original plan. The tomb is of octagonal plan and domet. The entrance to the tomb is through a wooden
doorvvay in the north.
The sarcophagus in the center, decorated beautifully with mother of pearl inlays, belongs to Osman
Gazi (1258-1326). The sarcophagus is surrounded by a brass balustrade. To his Ieft Iies his son
AIaaddin Bey, next to him Hüdavendigar. To his right Iies his son SavcıBey, Aspurca Hatun's son lbrahim
Bey and 12 other sarcophagi of unknown origin. As a great drum and tesbih rosary presented to Osman
Gazi by the Sultan of Konya AIaaddin also hang in the tomb, the people of Bursa began to call the tomb
Davullu (Davud) Manastırı(the monastery with the drum). These objects were destroyed in a fire.
The tomb is decorated as a mansion Iiving room would be, and curtains of cloth hang at the
windows. There is also a small mihrab in this section styled according to French architecture.
THE TOMB OF ORHAN GAZI
This tomb is located on the right hand side of the entrance to Tophane Park. The Saint EIias Church,
part of the metropolitan monastery before the conquest of Bursa, was erected in the 11th century. The
church is comprised of one main nave and two side naves. The dome is in the center and is supported by
four pillars of grey marble. The interior walls are covered by grey marble plaques. In the apse section,
three windows have been inserted into each facade, seperated by grey marble columns. There used to
Today, an alternative to the mosaic of which traces can still be seen, the floor is made up of porphyry,
decorations in various colored mosaic, circular inlays and plain marble plaques. This building, where
Orhan Gazi is laid to rest, was damaged during a fire in the year 1801 and was subsequently restored.
Then, in the earthquake of 1855, a significant part was demolished. In 1863, it was restored once
more by Sultan AbdüIaziz, who remained faithful to the original edifice. The tomb is placed on a square
plan. Every facade has three windows. The window at the center of the south facade was replaced by a
door.
An overhang once existed on the exterior in front of this door.
The central space is divided by four columns, the columns joined by four arches and covered by a
dome. The aisle around the central space is covered by a barrel vault. The interior walls are whitewashed
with Iimestone paint. Over the windows, there are simple decorations in form of pediments. The
sarcophagus placed in the center belongs to Orhan Gazi. It is surrounded by a cast brass balustrade. At
his north lies the son of Cem Sultan, Abdullah, while on his right Grand Vizier Korkut's wife Nilüfer Hatun,
her son Kasım, her daughter Fatma and the son of Yildirim Bayezıd, Musa Çelebi, in addition, there are
fourteen sarcophagi belonging to persons unknown.
TOPHANE PARK
The Bursa clock tower, which was erected in the year 1906, is situated in Tophane Park, which
commands a panoramic view of Bursa. The tower consists of six storeys and is twenty-five meters high.
THE GERUSH SYNAGOGUE
This synagogue is Iocated on Arapşükrü Street, it was constructed in the beginning of the 16th
century, by Sultan Selim lI, who had accepted the Jewish populance which had fled Spain.
A segment of the first Jews to arrive settled down in Bursa, Gerush means "Expelled" in Hebrew. The
synagogue is in extremely good condition and is maintained on a regular basis.
FRENCH CATHOLIC CHURCH (CULTURE HOUSE)
The church, Iocated in Osmangazi district, was built in 1880 and opened in 1881. The church was
decorated by the Assomptionist set with the helps of a Russian painter. The church was restored to be
used as Culture House.
THE GRAVE OF SULEYMAN CELEBI
SüIeyman Çelebi, a native of Bursa, is the son of the Vizier Ahmet Pasha. During the reign of Yildirim
Bayezıd, he was the prayer leader at the UIu Mosque. He wrote the renowned poem, the Mevlit, in 1409 in
Bursa. Thanks to the donations of the Governor Haşim İşcan and the inhabitants of Bursa between 1945
and 1952, the poet was accorded a mausoleum befitting his fame.
The tomb of stone contains a marble sarcophagus in the center. The ceiling is decorated with
arabesque motifs. The tomb is shaped as a garden and surrounded by a balustrade carved in geometric
forms
THE EMIR SULTAN MOSQUE AND TOMB
The edifice stands in the east of Bursa, next to the Emirsultan cemetery amongst cypress and plane
trees. Whilst the mosque had a single dome when first erected, a courtyard and a three-domed arcade
were added in 1507.
CIimbing the stairs to the west, one passes through the door between to columns and attain the
spacious courtyard. In the middle stands the fountain, in the south the mosque, in the north the tomb and
wooden chambers. The courtyard is surrounded by wooden arcades. The mosque has a single placed
on an octagonal rim. At each corner of the northern front, there is a minaret of cut stone. The mihrab was
made of lznik faience in the seventeenth century.
Emir Sultan was born in Buhara. He is known as Es-Seyyid Semsüddin Mehmed bin AIiyyül Buhari.
He emigrated to Bursa in 1391 and married Yildirim Bayezıd's daughter Hundi Hatun. Emir Sultan died of
the plague in 1429.
There are no remains today of the original tomb. The actual tomb was built by Sultan AbdüIaziz in the
year 1868. It has an octagonal plan. The entrance is from the east door. The ground level of the tomb lies
Iower than the courtyard. It is covered by a lead plated dome. The first sarcophagus at the entrance is the
Emir Sultan's .son Emir AIi, his wife Hundi Hatun in the center is placed the sarcophagus of Emir Sultan
himself and his two daughters.
The Emir Sultan Hamam
PIaced at the south of the Emir Sultan Mosque, it is the only bathhouse.
The bathhouse was built by Emir Sultan's wife, Hundi Hatun. The cold section was domed, but when
it was wrecked, was replaced by a flat roof. From the cold section, there is a passage to the warm section
covered by a multifoil dome. The toilet, the shaving room and two places of retirement are attached to this
section. Through the warm section, you attain the hot section, with three eyvans and two places of
retirement. The dome over the heated marble slab at the center is placed upon a winding rim.
THE ORHAN MOSQUE
This mosque was builtt by Orhan Gazi in the year 1339. It is one of the oldest mosques of Bursa. The
damage inflicted by KaramanoğIu Mehmet Bey in 1413 was repaired in 1417 by Çelebi Sultan Mehmet.
The portico rests on piers of dressed stone. The central arch is high. The arches are made of brick.
The walls alternate between three rows of brick and a row of dressed stone. The two sides of the portico
are covered by vaults, the center by three domes. The entrance eyvan has a small dome. On the right and
the left of this are two small cells covered by vaults.
When entering the mosque, you attain the section covered by two consecutive domes placed on an
octagonal rim. Attached are two small domed eyvans.
On the west and east facades of the mosque the representation of the course of the sun, star
shaped decorations, bellows forms and marble embellishments deserve attention. The mihrab is made
of stucco and bears the unique ornamentation of a seven- row stalactite cornice. The sides are decorated
with rumi motifs in relief.
THE YESIL COMPLEX
The YesiI Soup Kitchen
The Yeşil Complex Iies at the southeast of the Yeşil Mosque. Unfortunately, a major part of the
The walls of the soup kitchen and the dining hail stili stand. Two of the crests were reconstructed based
on the traces of the destroyed dome. These domes cover the kitchen section.
The complex was founded by Çelebi Sultan Mehmet at the beginning of the fifteenth century. It is
known that the Sultan himself distributed food to the poor from this complex.
The YesiI Mosque
On the slope facing Bursa in the Yeşil, district the construction of the mosque was commenced by
Sultan Mehmet Çelebi in 1419. The murals of the mosque, whose architect was Hacı İvaz Pasha were
completed in 1424. The artists of these painted decorations were AIi bin iIyas and Mehmet eI Mecnun. But
some parts of the mosque remain incomplete.
The Yeşil Mosque can be shown as the perfect blend between architecture and embellishment, the
proof that such works of art were produced in a country where the battles between siblings had come to
an end and peace had returned. This work is one of the principal works of the Ottoman period and the
most important work of Bursa.
From the view of the plan, the Yeşil Mosque is of the "winged" Mosque type as is the Yildirim Mosgue
and the Hüdavendigar mosque. There is no place reserved in the front for the Iast congregation. But we
understand that this was started in the construction but abandoned upon the sudden death of Çelebi The
front is made of marble. Four ornamented windows, two small mihrabs and four balustraded niches are
visibIe. The window frames are decorated with stalactites and the arch facades are ornamented with
interlocking rumi ornamentations. Surrounding the windows are partly abandoned inscriptions.
The portal is surrounded by rich rumi stalactites and compressed arches. The inscription is hadith
script, and in places decorated with flowers and spirals.
The walls of the section covered by the central dome are covered with lead colored marble plaques.
This dome is joined to the dome of the mihrab by marble arcades. The keystone in the center of this
arcade is decorated with bold, interlocked geometrical relief motifs. The central dome is crowned by an
octagonal lantern. Beneath the central dome, the sculpted white marble fountain within an octagonal pool
adds to the beauty of the mosque. The mihrab of the mosque represents a paradise for tile Iovers, to be
observed for hours on end. The width here is 6 meters, the height 10. 67 meters. The columns,
arabesque and Cu c scriptures inscribed in Iarge Arabic script (s I s), the border and center of the
mihrab decorated with flowers, the word "AIIah" written in the center of the mihrab niche must have been
written and subsequently mounted onto the walls. The wall tiles surrounding the mihrab are dark blue,
circled by inscriptions.
To each side of the central plane are eyvans covered by domes placed on octagonal rims. The upper
parts of these have been decorated in the eighteenth century paint workmanship. The walls are covered
with hexagonal tiles. The cells on either side of the section covered by the mihrab dome are covered by
multifoil domes, displaying painted decoration. The cells on either side of the entrance are covered by
vaults. The sides are covered with turquoise and dark blue tiles.
The window wings are carved in the rumi style, and decorated with star, geometric and flower motifs.
AIso, there are relief inscriptions. The main door is not the original one. The stalactite-shaped tiles in the
sultan's private retreat are formed to flowers. The iron parts used on the door, windows and cupboards of
the mosque are proof of excellent workmanship The minarets of the mosque were buut around the end of
the 19th century.
The YesiI Tomb
This tomb was erected by the son of Yildirim Bayezid, Çelebi Sultan Mehmet in the year 1421. The
tomb is Iocated in the Yeşil neighbourhood, on a hill facing the Yeşil Mosque. The architect of the tomb
was Hacı ivaz Pasha, the murals by AIi bin IIyas AIi and Mehmet el Mecnun. The tomb has an octagonal
prismatic body, the narrowest face measuring 8. 45 meters and the widest measuring 8. 87 meters. The
walls are faced by white marble bands on the exterior, the frame and the feet carry the pointed arches over
a three and a half meter opening. With exception of the south and north fa ades, each has rectangular
Iarge windows and stucco windows with pointed arches.
The facade which has survived with the Ieast changes is the first facade at the east of the entrance.
The marble frames, the blind arches and the windows are covered with interlocking rumi motif borders.
The remaining parts are covered with turquoise coloured tiles. The window pediments are separated into
three parts by thin Iines on the dark blue background. These three sections are decorated with verses of
the Koran and hadiths.
The greenish turquoise glazed tiles that cover the tomb are the source of the name Yeşil (Green)
Türbe, attributed by the citizens of Bursa. The portal was badly damaged in the earthquake of 1855. In
1864, it was plastered with mortar of brick and Iime and attained it's actual Iook. The little mihrabs in the
Ieft and right, the shoe racks, the tomb's inscription and the multifoil half dome are elaborately decorated
with various colours and motifs worked in the relief glazing technique. The glazed door wings
embroidered with the rumi style of ornamentation and rosette motifs is striking in it is splendor. The author
of this work of art is Ahmed OğIu AIi of Tabriz. The octagonal body of the tomb is covered by a Iarge lead
covered dome, seated on a plastered elevated rim.
When stepping into the interior of the tomb, One has the feeling of entering a tiled paradise. The
walls are covered with hexagonal turquoise tiles with a double bor der up to a height of 2. 94 meters.
Large medallions are dispersed between the tiles. The tomb has the most beautiful tiled mihrab in
existence today. It is a masterpiece of the art of colored embelllishment. It also resembles the mihrab of
the Yeşil Mosque with it's fluted decorative columns, rumi ornamentations, undulating branch motifs and
bold inscriptions. In the center of the octagonal platform, Çelebi Sultan Mehmet's sarcophagus stands full
of dignity, elaborately adorned with tiles. Upon the sarcophagus there is an inscription in relief, written in
the Arabic "s I s" script. The sarcophagi of his sons Mustafa Mahmut are placed on his south side. The
sarcophagus placed to the north belongs to his son Yusuf. Behind the platform, starting from the north
are the sarcophagi of his daughter Selçuk Hatun, decorated with relief inscriptions, that of his daughter
Sitti Hatun (Safiye) decorated with hexagonal and triangular dark blue tiles, and those of Ayşe Hatun and
her nanny Daya Hatun.
The body of the octagonal prismatic tomb set on a surface of 328 square meters continues down
underground to form the mausoleum. This section, which covered with barrel vaults is separated into five
chambers by brick walls. The entrance is through the secret door hidden by the graves seen on the
elevated platform in the east.
The Yesil Hamam
The Yesil Hamam Iocated on Yeşil Avenue, in the west of the Yeşil Tomb. The date of construction
and the person who had it built are not exactly known. It is quite possible that it was erected by either Sofu
Bedrettin, Köse Türbedar or Köse AIi Pasha during the period of Fatih around 1480.
It is only a bathhouse. The entrance is on the avenue. First you enter the cold section, and from there
proceed to the smalI, single domed, central marble slab flanked by eyvans covered by vaults. From here,
you can reach the two domed places of retirement.
The YesiI School of Theology
After passing the Yeşil hamam, the complex is Iocated on the right, next to Çanlı Stream. This
building complex is currently used as the Turkish and lslamic Art Works Museum.
The construction of the Yeşil Complex, also known as the Sultaniye complex, was commenced in
1419 by Çelebi Sultan Mehmet together with the other buildings within the complex. The complex
The entrance is from the north, through the eyvan covered with diagonal vaults. In the center is a
spacious courtyard, with a marble pool in the middle. On the south side you find a classroom with a high
and Open eyvan, and on either side, a small eyvan and 13 cells. The wide eyvan is placed upon an
octagonal rim and covered by a Iead plated dome. The remaining eyvan are covered by brick roofs and
ciliary eaves.
The two staircases, each 1. 2 meters wide, placed on either side and incomplete sections suggest
that the complex was planned as a two storey building. The arcade in the garden contains 18 columns of
marble and granite taken from various edifices. The celi ceilings are diagonally vaulted. The one to the
west is covered with turquoise and white tiles. The ceiling is decorated with geometric braid motifs in
white, dark blue and yellow. The window panels are decorated with tiles in a chessboard pattern.
THE YİLDİRİM MOSQUE COMPLEX
The Yildirim Mosque
This complex was built in the east of the city, upon the hill of the neighborhood named Yildirim. It was
built by Yildirim Bayez|d around the close of the XIVth century. Generally, the inscriptions give us defmite
information about historical works, but the inscriptions of this mosque have not survived to reach our day.
Here at this mosque we are presented with the nest example of the stone workmanship of the
period. The Iegs and the arches that join them are made of piled Iead-coloured marble. The portico is
covered by five domes. The central dome is high and gives the interior a certain spaciousness. The walls
are ornamented with cut stone. The flanking eyvans rise from the floor. These are covered by domes
placed on the eight corners formed by pointed squinches. The mihrab (niche oriented to Mecca) dome is
placed on a square base. The mihrab is covered by eight rows of stalactite yashmak. At the corners are
placed polished greenish marble columns.
The rooms at the east and west are of stucco, have large cells and airvents. The green faience with
stalactite fringes, wide openwork, and twelve stars is decorated with inlay work, prayers written in
calligraphy.
The rooms are covered with diagonal vaults. The rooms at the northeast and northwest can be
reached by the interior of the mosque. Boths minarets of the mosque were destroyed by earthquakes and
southwesterly winds, and a new minaret of concrete was added on recently.
The Yildirim Tomb
The fourth Ottoman Sultan, Yildirim Bayezid, was born in 1360. He is the eldest son of Murat I. He
was raised by his father and accompanied him on conquests.
Due to the boldness he showed during the war against the army of KaramanoğIu AIi Bey, he was
named Yildirim (streak of Iightning). He ascended the throne following the murder of Murat at the end of
the battle at Kosovo. Following Kosovo, Yildirim added the south of Serbia to his territories. One by one,
he added the provinces of Ayd|n, Saruhan, Mente e and Karaman to his country.
He had the Anadolu Hisarı built. He was defeated at the battle of Ankara against Tamerlane, who
had started invading Anatolia from the east. Not being able to accept this defeat, he commited suicide in
1403. His tomb, constructed by his son SüIeyman Han in 1406, Iies in the east of the Yildirim School of
Theology. The tomb is placed on square plan, with the dimensions of 10. 5 m x 10. 5 m. The entrance
portico is covered by three small domes. The single dome covering the vault is placed on an octagonal
rim.
The tomb has a round mihrab. In the center of the tomb is placed the sarcophagus of Yildirim
Bayezid, on his right that of his son Isa Çelebi, at his Ieft that of one of his wives and at his feet two
sarcophagi belonging to unknown ladies.
The Yildirim School of Theology
PIaced at the northwest of the Yildirim Mosque, the School of Theology was built by Bayezid in the
year 1399.
Through the door you attain the domed threesome arcade. From there you proceed to the arcaded
sides, supported by feet of stone and brick, and covered Iengthwise by vaults. On the Ieft and the right
there are each eight vaulted cells opening towards the arcades. On each side of the entrance, there are
vaulted chambers for the clergymen. The side arcades are connected to the classrooms with open
eyvans.
The classroom is placed on an octagonal rim and covered by a Iead-plated dome. The arcades and
the chambers have roofs covered in Iead. The decorations of the classroom with star-shaped and plain
bricks are very beautiful. Following it's restoration, the School of Theology was used as a clinic.
The Yildirim Hamam
The hamam is built to the west of the mosque, on a slope. The small bathhouse's only cold section
is a domed square. From the cold section, you pass through to the domed warm section. The centre
heated marble slab is covered by a dome and eyvan. From here, you pass through to two retreats, also
domed. -They were built from unhewn stone.
The Yildirim Darüssifa (HospitaI)
The hospitaI, accepted as being the first Ottoman hospitaI, is built at 250 m east of the Yildirim
Mosque.
It forms a part of the mosque complex constructed by Yildirim between 1390 and 1394. The grand
vizier Çandarlı Ibrahim Pasha was also treated and cured at this sanitary institution also offering the
treatment of neurologic diseases.
When the hospital was first opened, the staff consisted of one chief physician, two physicians, two
pharmacists, two makers of sherbet and one cook. The building stands on 1560 m2 of slanting land. After
suffering damages during the earthquake of 1855, the building was used as a powder magazine for a
in numerous fire, most recently in the catastrophic fire in 1958. Then it was restored as having Basic floor,
shops on two roads and upstairs on the shops. Framework of bazaar was also recovered. it has been the
center of commerce since it was built.
THE MONUMENT OF HACIVAT AND KARAGOZ
Karagöz and Hacivat which were the representatives of shadow play Iived in Bursa and they worked
in the construction of UIu Mosque. According to the Iegend. Karagöz and Hacivat held up the building of
mosque by their joking and speaking. As a result, Orhan Gazi had them executed. The Sultan then
regretted their execution and Şeyh Küşteri made their figures and showed on the screen
Thus Karagöz and Hacivat Shadow PIay was given birth to. The popularity of Karagoz and Hacivat
can be seen.
MISI
Misi villages which is also known as G
forests and four hills. Misi, which has been famous with wine-business for centuries, is an important
place not only forTurks but also Christians. According to Heradot, A people migrated from Trakya to the
south Marmara in 1816 B. C and they established a union in this region. They are known as the fi
nation who migrated from easttowest. After Misi was conquered by Orhan Gazi in 1326, it was registered
as Murad I's trust fund (vak
Iived.
THE MURAT HUDAVENDIGAR MOSQUE COMPLEX
The Murat Hüdavendigar Mosque and School of Theology
The mosque and school of theology built during the reign of Murat l during the years 1365-1366, are
Iocated in the Çekirge neighborhood, high upon a hill commanding a splendid yiew of the Bursa plain.
The building consists of two storeys. The mosque is Iocated on the Iower storey, while the upper storey
belongs to the school of theology
