| The
city of Bursa is located on southeast of the Marmara Sea. Bursa
lies on the lower slopes of the Uludağ Mountain (Mt. Olympos of
Mysia, 2543m. High). The city derives its name from its founder
King Prussias of Bitynia. Its previous antique name was Prussa ad
Hypium. It subsequently came under Roman, then Byzantine rule before
falling to Orhan Gazi in 1326 Afterwards the city became the first
capital of the Ottoman Empire and still many Ottoman buildings remain.
Known as "Green Bursa," the city is filled with gardens
and parks and overlooks a verdant plain. |
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Teleferik
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Bursa
was, and is still, famous for its peaches, silk trade, towel manufacture
and thermal springs.
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Green
Mausoleum
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| A
tour of the city begins in the eastern section at the Yeşil
Türbe (Green Mausoleum). Set in a garden and distinguished
by its exterior paneling of tiles, the mausoleum holds the
tiled cenotaph of Sultan Mehmet I. Across the street, the
Yeşil Mosque of 1424 reflects the new Ottoman, as opposed
to Seljuk, aesthetic. A medrese nearby completes the coplex
and is also home to the Ethnography Museum. Going uphill,
to the east, you pass by the Emir Sultan Mosque in its delightful
setting. After walking through a district of old houses you
reach the Yıldırım Beyazıt Mosque. Now make your way to Cumhuriyet
square and stroll along the Atatürk Avenue to Koza Park where
outdoor cafes are set among flowers and fountains. At the
back of the park, along building, the Koza Han, houses the
silk cocoon trade. |
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From
here you proceed to the covered bazaar area, with its narrow
streets, caravanserais and bedesten. On the other side of
Koza Park stands one of Bursa's oldest religious buildings,
the Orhan Gazi Mosque, built in 1413. Nearby is the large
Ulu Mosque, constructed in the Seljuk styl. Walking west from
the Ulu Mosque you arrive at Hisar, an old and picturesque
quarter of Bursa. In the park that overlooks the valley are
the mausoleums of Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire,
and his son Orhan Gazi, who commanded the army that conquered
Bursa. |
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Silkworm
Cocoon
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| At
the Yıldız Park Tea Gardens in the Muradiye quarter,
you get a superb view of the Muradiye Complex. Other
places of interest in Bursa Archeological Museum, and
Atatürk Museum on the road to Çekirge. The western suburb
of Çekirge has been known since Roman times for its
hot springs and thermal water which are rich in minerals.
Many modern hotels have thermal bath facilities, you
can also visit the old hamams. The monument to Karagöz
commemorates the chracter whose humorous antics are
immortalized in Turkish shadow puppet teather. Thirty
- six kilometers from Bursa is Uludağ, the largest center
for winter sports in Turkey and offers a variety of
activities, acommodation and entertainment. The slopes
are easily reached by car or cable car (teleferik). |
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Inside
the Mosque
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The
rich cuisine of Bursa, which was formulated by Ottoman culture,
is known by few dishes and desserts that have been integrated
into Turkish cuisine .
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Iskender
Kebap
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Inegol
Meatballs
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Candied
Chesnuts
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Kemalpaşa
Dessert
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