Bursa at view
The most ancient district in Bursa has the name Tophane and it is famous for its high clock tower, standing at the top of one of the mountains that makes it even looks charmer. Many tours to Turkey may include a visit to the historical monuments of Bursa, Istanbul, and many other cities in the country.
This district was where the Byzantines settled and built their citadel and fortified walls. This is why the area is sometime referred to as Hisar, or the fortress in the old Turkish language.
Cricket is the most Western neighborhood in Bursa today with the historical area of Muradiya standing in the middle between Tophane and Cricket. Many private tours to Turkey would include a visit to Bursa for its many historical monuments.
The meaning and origin of the word Cricket is actually not known by scholars and historians but its many green fields and parks makes Bursa the Green city as many Turkish prefer to call it.
Tophane and the Citadel
The best preserved sections of the walls of the citadel mark the Northern borders of Tophane. Tophane is usually added to many Turkey vacation packages that include a visit to Bursa
There is a high plateau in Tophane that contains some nice cafes that overlooks the whole area. This plateau also hosts the famous clock tower and the tombs of the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman and Orhan Ghazi.
The Ottomans were able to take control of the Byzantine Citadel that was erected in Tophane when the military troops of Orhane Ghazi broke through its walls.
After his victory over the Byzantines, Ghazi built himself a wonderful wooden palace inside the citadel and restored the ramparts and the fortified walls of the citadel. A wonderful private tour in Turkey can be tailored to include many of the marvelous attractions of Bursa.
Ghazi is also credited for establishing the modern Bursa by founding the commercial center of the city expanding the area of the citadel towards the Eastern direction.
Tombs of Osman and Orhan Ghazi
In his process of expanding the Ottoman Empire which he started in the 13th century, Osman Ghazi wanted to take control of Bursa. It was his son, Orhan, however who was able to take the city soon after the death of his father.
Orhan has buried the body of his father in a church that was converted into a mosque; the same as many other Christian structures in Turkey, and then afterwards when Orhan died his body was buried there as well.
The tombs which are present today in that location were actually founded in the middle of the 19th century. Many escorted tours to Turkey can be organized to visit many remarkable historical monuments.
The Mosque of Alaa El Dine
The Mosque of Alaa El Dine is the most ancient mosque in Bursa and maybe in Turkey overall. The mosque was built in 1335 nine years after the Ottomans took control of Bursa in 1326.
The mosque has a simple design of a square shaped structure with a single dome and a portico of four byzantine columns. Travelers who spend their holidays in Istanbul would come to visit Bursa for a day or two to admire the historical monuments of the city.
This Mosque was founded by Alaa El Dine, the Grand Vizier and brother of Orhan Ghazi, the Ottoman Sultan who was able to conquer Bursa.
The Neighborhood of Muradiya
Muradiya is one of the distinctive neighborhoods in Bursa. The Husnu Zuber House, one of the finest examples of an Ottoman house, is situated next to the Muradiya Mosque.
There is also a nice park in Muradiya that hosts a lake where boats can be hired for an enjoyable ride. Guests, who spend enjoyable tours of Istanbul, would sometimes like to visit other cities like Bursa.
The Muradiya Mosque
This mosque was built by Murad II, the father of Mohamed I, or Mohamed the conquer, who was able to take control of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantines.
The construction work of the mosque was finished in 1447. The mosque has a wonderful domed portico, amazing Iznik tiles, and a finely decorated wooden entrance door.
The country is famous for hosting some of the finest historical mosques in the world that can be included in many private tours to Turkey.
The Madrasa of the mosque, located next to it, is now serving as dispensary. The structure consists of a square building with classrooms and chambers surrounding its open courtyard, the typical layout of the Islamic Madrasa that was spread all over many countries like Egypt and Tunisia at the time.
The garden of the mosque has many flowers, trees, and fountains. Murad II, the founder of the mosque, was the last Ottoman Sultan to be buried in Bursa and his mausoleum is situated in the garden of the mosque.
There are also another 11 tombs located in the garden of the Muradiya mosque and they are in the memory of the Ottoman code of succession, which states that the most powerful male relative of the Sultan should come in power after him, even if he is not the most appropriate ruler.
This code meant that many of the male relatives of the Sultan would be executed or put in prison for a very long period of their lives.
However, this fact didn’t prevent the family from building a mausoleum for the brothers of the Sultan and this is what Sultan Murad II did in the garden of his mosque in Bursa.
Selim II did as Murad and built his brother a fine octagonal shaped mausoleum in Bursa.
The Archeological Museum in Bursa
The exhibitions in the Archeological Museum of Bursa cover a long period of time that starts with the 3000 years BC and until the arrival of the Ottomans in Bursa in 1326.
The museum displays a number of Roman sculptures, Byzantine coins and other items, and many other objects of interest. Many tourists who spend their vacation in Turkey would love to explore some of the interesting museums in the country.
The Husnu Zuber House
This is one of the finest and best preserved Ottoman houses in Bursa. This building that was built in the middle of 19th century was served a guesthouse where diplomats used to stay before it became the Russian Consulate.
The house was afterwards owned by Husnu Zuber who is struggling to maintain the house as a private museum.
The house is usually opened for public visits and in the evening many art galleries and musical performances are organized in this marvelous historical house.
The interior design and layout of the house is quite remarkable and hosts a number of Anatolian motifs. Tourists who spend magnificent trips in Turkey would sometimes attend some of these musical concerts.
Cekirge
Cekirge is where one of the finest development natural mineral water spring in Turkey can be found. During the 6th century, Justinian, the Byzantine Emperor, built himself a bathhouse here in the that same location.
Cekirge also hosts some of the best luxurious hotels and spas in Bursa with the spa culture and clean healthy air of the mountains are enjoyed by a large number of travelers who spend theirtours in Turkey.
The Old Spa of Bursa
This spa was originally built by Sultan Murad I during the 14th century and it was then renewed in the 15th century by Sultan Beyazit II.There is also more ancient structure that can be viewed in the Old Spa until today including the remains of an old building that was constructed by Emperor Justinian.
The spa is now owned and managed by the Karevansarai Termal Hotel. The water of the spa is said to cure many skin diseases and rheumatism as well. Several private tours to Turkey can be designed to allow the guests to enjoy the Old Spa in Bursa.
