Bursa

Flanked by the busy Ataturk Caddesi, the compact Koza Parki, with its fountains, benches and cafés, is the real heart of Bursa. On the far side looms the fourteenth century Ulu Mosque, whose interior is dominated by a huge sadirvan pool for ritual ablutions. Close by is Bursa’s covered market, the Bedesten, given over to the sale of jewellery and precious metals, and the Koza Hani, flanking the park, still entirely occupied by silk and brocade merchants. Across the river to the east, the Yesil Mosque (daily 8am-8.30pm) is easily the most spectacular of Bursa’s imperial mosques. The hundreds of green tiles inside give the mosque its name. The nearby hexagonal Yesil Turbe (daily 8am-noon & 1-7pm) contains the sarcophagus of celebi Mehmet I and assorted offspring. The immediate environs of the mosque are a busy tangle of cafés and souvenir shops. The Madrasah , the largest surviving dependency of the mosque, now houses Bursa’s Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (Tues-Sun 8.30am-noon & 1-5.30pm; $1), with Iznik ware, canakkale ceramics, glass items and a mock-up of an Ottoman circumcision chamber. West of the centre, the Hisar ("citadel") district was Bursa’s original nucleus. Narrow lanes wind up past dilapidated Ottoman houses, while walkways clinging to the rock face offer fabulous views. The best-preserved dwellings are a little way west in medieval Muradiye, where the Muradiye Kulliyesi mosque and Madrasah complex was begun in 1424.

Bursa’s bus terminal is 5km north on the main road to Istanbul, from where bus #38 (every 15min) runs to Koza Parki, at one corner of which is Bursa’s tourist office (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm; tel 0224/220 1848). Avoid the few grim hotels around the old bus station, now the main dolmus garage: better options lie in the centre and the leafy spa suburb of cekirge, a dolmus ride to the north.

Uludag is the largest and most celebrated winter-sports and skiing center in Turkey. It is 36 kilometers from Bursa and easily accessible by car or cable-car (Teleferik in Turkish). The area is also a national park and is worth a visit at any time of the year. The accommodation is high quality offering the opportunity to enjoy the mountain, with a variety of entertainment and sports activities. On the way up don’t miss the 600-year old plain tree.

Mudanya is a seaside resort town with fine fish restaurants and night-clubs, so you can have a pleasant vacation there. The old train station now serves as a charming hotel.

Zeytinbagi (Trilye) is a town of typical Turkish architecture and lay-out. There are sea bus and ferry connections with Istanbul.

Gemlik (27 km north), is another seaside resort with a wide, sandy beach. One of the best olive oils of Turkey comes from this town.

Iznik (Nicaea) lies 85 km northeast of Bursa, at the eastern tip of Lake Iznik. The town had a great importance for Christians because of the Ecumenic Councils, and witnessed many civilizations which have left their marks all over the land. This town is famous for its unique tiles and has been the center of tile production in the 16th century. Iznik tiles were the basic decorative element of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. The turquoise-tiled Yesil Mosque and Nilufer Hatun Imareti are among the Islamic works in the town. For more information on Iznik please Click Here.