Bursa was first settled over 7000 years ago in 5200 BCE. The city itself was probably founded in the 3rd century BCE by a Bithynian king and continued to prosper under the reign of emperor Justinian I in the Byzantine era. In fact, he built a palace there.
The city would then briefly decline and fall to the Seljuq Turks towards the end of the 11th century. It was then recaptured by the Byzantine before again falling to the Ottomans in the early 14th century. They made it the first capital of their Ottoman Empire but would briefly lose it to Timur (Tamerlane) in 1402. This prompted them to move the capital to Edirne.
Overall though, the city enjoyed immense success under the Ottomans. It prospered and expanded into the brightly-colored, fountain-filled city we all love today. In addition, its setting at the foot of Mt. Uludag provided it with a cool climate that allowed for the cultivation of gardens and fruit orchids, hence the nickname ‘Green Bursa.’
You can visit Bursa on a day trip from Istanbul. But if you want to make the most out of the region, it’s advised that you secure accommodation in Bursa itself. Fortunately, taking a guided trip to the city ensures that you get the best of either option. If you opt for the day trip, you will enjoy private transport to and from the city. And if you choose to stay there, a guided tour ensures that you get the best accommodation in the city.
Overall, Bursa is an excellent place to visit all year round. Its location at the foot of Mount Uludag provides mild and subtle temperatures in spring and summer that many visitors enjoy. The mountain also snows in winter; hence, the winter months are perfect times for people to enjoy snow skiing.
Bursa is known for the Iskender kebab, a region special that is one of the sweetest doner kebabs in the country. You can also enjoy seafood, salad, soups, fresh bread, chicken, meatballs, mixed kebabs, and many traditional Turkish dishes.
If you want to enjoy street food, head over to Kayhan street, with street stalls selling delicious traditional Turkish delicacies.
There are several international companies with their headquarters in Bursa. Thus, many inhabitants know some basic English, making communication between locals and tourists easier. It will also help if you learn some basic Turkish. Words like ‘Merhaba,’ which means ‘Hello,’ and ‘Kolai Gelsin,’ a universal greeting that translates to ‘may things be easy for you,’ will go a long way in integrating you into the Bursa community.
The metropolis of Bursa presents lots of sights and activities that should keep you occupied for a couple of days. One of these is the silk bazaar- a market built in 1491 on the orders of Sultan Bayezid II. It was initially a caravanserai, i.e., an inn or trading place where caravans and their animals would pass.
Long story short, the caravanserai received silkworms coming from Asia through the silk road. The town locals embraced the trade and started rearing worms themselves, leading to a thriving silk industry going on strong to date. And while the silk items here are beautiful in their own right, the bazaar itself is a stunning example of Ottoman architecture.
A ten-minute walk from the Silk Bazaar will take you to a colorful mausoleum, locally known as Yesil Turbe. This Green Tomb is the final resting place of Mehmed I, the fifth Ottoman Sultan. Its widely considered an incredible work of art due to the intricate tilework adorning its walls. The exterior features bluish-green tiles (hence the name), while the interior walls have more detailed and decorated tiles.
Just next door to the Green Mosque is the Green Mosque. Like the tomb, the mosque gets its name from the blue-green tiles that lay its colorful interior. The exterior is made of beautiful white marble. This stunning work of Ottoman architecture has earned a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites.
Another impressive example of Ottoman architecture sits in the old city center. Here, you will find the largest mosque in the region, the Grand Mosque. It was constructed between 1396 and 1399 on the orders of Sultan Bayezid I, who, when fighting the battle of Necropolis in1396, promised to build 20 mosques if he won.
He did win, but instead of building 20 separate mosques, he built this one and gave it 20 domes. These domes have made the Grand Mosque of Bursa somewhat iconic. It also features a spacious interior that, when combined with the dim white, black, and gold interior, gives the mosque a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere.
From here, you want to head to the oldest part of Bursa and visit the last remaining section of the city’s ancient walls, the Hisar Gate. The gate was strategically constructed on raised ground overlooking the city. Thus, visiting here isn’t so much about the history as it is about the scenery; the battlements at the top of the wall allow for the city’s best views.
There are many more attractions in the city of Bursa. These include the Irgandi Bridge (one of only three bridges in the world with shops on them), the Shadow Puppet Karagoz Museum, and the Silk Museum at Umurbey.
Bursa is part of a larger region that is blessed with exciting attractions. So, when you’re done with the city, you can head outside and visit the town of Iznik. This sits on the shore of the beautiful Iznik town and is famous for producing the best pottery and tiles in the country. It’s also full of various religious and historical attractions.
You can also go to the lovely seaside village of Trylie along the coast of Marmara. The town offers the much-needed peace that many vacationists seek after days of exploring the surrounding area.
