- Attractions of Bursa
- Attractions around the city
- Thermal springs
- Cafes and restaurants
- Shopping
- Bars and nightclubs
Bursa is the fourth most populous city in Turkey. It is conveniently located between the beaches of the Sea of Marmara and winter mountain resorts in the Ulugad mountains, which gives an excellent opportunity to visit Bursa all year round and combine the study of the city's attractions with active recreation. And there is something to study here. Bursa is the first capital of the Ottoman Empire with a huge historical and cultural layer. The Seljuk and Ottoman settlements located in the territory of Bursa are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
You can safely visit Bursa all year round, but it is worth remembering that late autumn is not the most pleasant time in Turkey, when unpleasant prolonged rains can fall. But at this time there are fewer tourists and prices are lower. In summer, you can stay in one of the hotels and walk around the city in the morning, when the heat has not yet reached its highest point. In winter, you can settle in the city or in the mountains. Distance to the ski resort - 30 km.
According to archaeological finds, the first settlements appeared in these places more than 5000 years ago. The Greeks founded their city here, Prusa, which was later captured by the Romans. This name dominated until the beginning of the 20th century. Modern Turks often call their city Yeşil Bursa, which means “Green Bursa”. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city came under the rule of Byzantium, whose rule lasted more than 10 centuries. In 1326 Bursa was conquered by the Ottomans and the city became the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Its metropolitan status lasted only 37 years, but during the entire existence of the empire, Bursa remained an important commercial and industrial city, in which silk products were produced.
In the middle of the 19th century, the city was badly damaged by two earthquakes and subsequent fires, after which it was heavily rebuilt. Now it is one of the most important cities of the Turkish Republic. The proximity to the sea, mountains, an abundance of historical sights, as well as transport accessibility (in the immediate vicinity is Istanbul airport) make Bursa an attractive place to visit.
Attractions of Bursa
In Bursa you will find the atmosphere of an old Ottoman city. The city is especially beautiful in the dark, when the multi-colored illumination of buildings is turned on. The center and heart of the city is the area between the Ulu-Kami Mosque, the Silk Bazaar and the monument to the first President of Turkey Mustafa Ataturk. The main sights of the city are located in the same area:
- The Great Mosque, or Ulu Jami, is the main attraction of Bursa. The Great Mosque, built at the end of the XIV century, is a vivid example of the Seljuk culture (the Seljuks are an ancient Turkic people who mixed with the Ottomans after they conquered the territory of modern Turkey). The mosque features 20 small domes and a fountain for ablution before prayers in the center of the building, although it is usually located in the outer courtyard. Inside the Great Mosque, there are 16th century relics transported from Mecca. The interior is decorated with inscriptions that are examples of Islamic calligraphy.
- The Green Mosque is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Bursa. Its construction lasted from 1412 to 1419 by order of Sultan Mehmet I. Outside, the building is decorated with white marble, and the interior is decorated with tiles in green tones. This is where the name of the mosque comes from. In the immediate vicinity is the tomb of Mehmet I - the Green Mausoleum, the interior of which echoes the decoration of the Green Mosque.
- Hisar - the remains of an ancient fortress located in Tophane - the oldest district of the city. Only parts of the walls remained from the fortress, but on its territory there is an important historical site - the tomb of the founders of the Ottoman Empire and the tomb of Osman-gazi himself. According to legend, he himself chose the place for his burial.
- The Sultan Emir Mosque, despite the fact that it was built at the same time as the Great Mosque, outwardly differs strikingly from the main mosque of the city. The Sultan Emir Mosque is a striking representative of the Ottoman Rococo. Thousands of Muslims make pilgrimages here every year. A wonderful view of the city opens from the square in front of the mosque.
- Irgandi is an interesting arched bridge of the 15th century. On the bridge there are stone one-story shops of bazaar traders, which makes Irgandi look like the famous Florentine Ponte Vecchia.
Top 10 places of interest in Bursa
Attractions around the city
Around Bursa, in addition to the beaches of the Sea of Marmara and the Uludag ski resort, famous throughout Turkey, there are several interesting tourist places:
- The cable car (funicular) lifts tourists to a height of 1800 meters - to the Uludag National Park. The funicular makes several stops along the way, and the views from the cabins to the city, mountains and coastline are very beautiful.
- In Uludag National Park, you can walk among greenery and clean lakes, as well as have a picnic. Here, at the top of the mountain, there is always a shadow and a light breeze blowing, which is especially important in the midst of the summer heat. On the territory of the park, there is the Oylat cave with a huge number of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is well equipped with stairs and passages, beautiful lighting is created.
- Cumalıkızık is a historical village located ten kilometers from the city. More than 200 houses from the Ottoman Empire have survived here, including those with interesting forging on the gates. The old look is completed by cobblestone pavements.
- Almost outside the city is the Bursa Zoo, which is perfect for visiting both children and adults. The zoo has a special feature - it is dedicated to the fauna of Africa. The park has a very impressive area with open enclosures, which allows you to get better acquainted with the animals. In addition, some trees and plants from the African continent have been planted here.
Thermal springs
Bursa has been famous for its healing mineral springs since the time of the Byzantines. It was they who built the first baths here, which were then restored by the Ottomans. The old buildings of the baths are still preserved in the hotel "/>
The thermal waters of Bursa are rich in calcium, soda, sulfur and magnesium. They come from two districts - Bademli Bahce and Cekirge. Moreover, the chemical composition of water from different sources is different, which means that the sources do not intersect anywhere. The waters from the Cekirge springs are "steel", "iron", due to the high concentration of Fe in the water, and the waters of the Bademli melon springs are sulfurous.
Thermal springs at all times enjoyed special respect among the rulers of the first Byzantine, then the Ottoman Empire. Here they knew that thermal water heals the sick. The most famous baths in the center of Bursa:
- Eski kaplija, built by Sultan Murad I;
- Kukutlu kaplica, built by order of Sultan Bayezid I;
- Yeni kaplydzha, built by order of Rustem Pasha, vizier of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
- Kara Mustafa, named after Kara Mustafa Pasha, who built it.
Cafes and restaurants
In Bursa, as elsewhere in Turkey, there is a large number of catering establishments. Turkish cuisine is nutritious, not too spicy, and contains a lot of meat and vegetables. Usually tourists like it very much. Here are some good places in Bursa where you can taste Turkish and European cuisines:
- By Ahtapotus - Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, a large selection of seafood.
- Uludag Kebapcisi - here you can find a wide selection of kebabs, the main dish of Turkish cuisine.
- Dababa Pizzeria & Ristorante is a good choice if you are tired of meat. There is a good selection of Italian and European dishes.
- Kitap Evi Hotel Restaurant is a hotel restaurant with a wide selection of Turkish and international dishes.
Top 10 must-try Turkish dishes
Shopping
For real Turkish shopping, head to the old Silk Market, the city's main bazaar. This is a real oriental bazaar with aromas of spices, coffee and sweets in the air. Silk production has survived in Bursa to this day, so in the bazaar you will find magnificent silk scarves by local craftsmen. And, of course, the famous oriental sweets, jewelry, coffee, spices and souvenirs. Don't forget to bargain and keep track of your belongings.
The largest market in the city is the Bedesten market, where you can find a large selection of quality clothes in the national style, antiques and Turkish souvenirs. In addition, you can buy seafood and oriental sweets here. Street cafes make excellent strong coffee.
The most famous mall in Bursa is the Korupark Alisveris Merkezi shopping center. There is a wide selection of boutiques and shops of international and Turkish brands. Large selection of jewelry stores. In addition, there is an ice skating rink, a go-kart center, several restaurants and entertainment for children.
Bars and nightclubs
Bursa can hardly be called a "hangout" place, nevertheless there are several interesting nightlife venues here.
- Resimli Bar is a stylish bar for a relaxing evening break with a rich entertainment program and a wide selection of cocktails.
- Duetto is the most popular nightclub in Bursa, with an outdoor terrace styled like the deck of a ship.
- And the Black Bar hosts the brightest and most exciting parties in the city. Contemporary music and a whole sea of unusual cocktails.
