Hidden Village – Bursa

Istanbul Day Trip  Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, is also called Yesil (Green) Bursa for its parks and gardens with Uludag Mountain as a backdrop.  Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey today, a provincial capital and one of Turkey’s commercial centers.  It is known for its peaches, chestnuts and its silk industry.  Bursa is also famous for its Bursa, or Iskender, Kebap.  Be sure to try it.  Your day in Bursa hits the historic highlights of Bursa.  First and foremost is the spectacular Green Mosque, with its beautiful tile work of greens, blues and yellows.  Of particular note are the hexagonal green tiles covering the walls of the Prayer Hall.  This is the first Ottoman mosque to use tiles extensively as interior decoration.  You will visit the Muradiye mosque, located in a leafy, mostly residential area.  It is also an Historic District.  The gardens surrounding the mosque provide a tranquil retreat in bustling Bursa.  The gardens are also home to 12 tombs of Ottoman Sultans and a few murdered Ottoman princes.  You will also visit the Mausoleums of (father and son) Osman (the founder of the  Ottoman Empire) and Orhan Bey, the Grand Mosque or Ulu Cami, Bursa’s famous the Silk Bazaar for a spot of shopping, and the Covered Bazaar.

Hidden Village – Bursa