Nestled in the foothills of Mount Uludağ, Bursa is a historic industrial city and car manufacturing hub south of Istanbul. It served as an Ottoman capital during the 14th century when its monumental mosque was built. In recent years, it has been referred to as “Yeşil Bursa” due to its abundance of green spaces.
Things to do in Bursa
Bursa’s most impressive architectural landmark is Uli Cami, a 14th-century mosque topped by 20 domes. Also known as the Grand Mosque of Bursa, it was commissioned in recognition of the Ottoman victory at the Battle of Nicopolis. Uli Cami is renowned for its Seljuk-style arches and the decorative calligraphy that adorns its walls and columns.
Sprawling north-east of Bursa’s city centre is Reşat Oyal Culture Park, a leafy green space where you’ll find a children’s playground, a boating pond and a collection of amusement rides. It was established in 1955 and named after a local mayor, with several restaurants, an open-air theatre and an archaeological museum among its highlights. In the heart of the park is the small garden mosque of Kültürpark Camii.
Occupying a 19th-century residence overlooking the park is the Bursa Atatürk Museum, which is dedicated to the founder of Turkey. Atatürk stayed in the house several times between 1923 and 1938, and it is now recreated as it would have appeared at the time. You can also visit the Bursa City Museum, which showcases the industrial and artisan history of the region.
Getting around Bursa
Yenişehir Airport is around 45 minutes’ drive from Bursa and has limited flights to destinations across Turkey and the Middle East. The much larger Istanbul Airport is just two hours away. Buses and subways travel throughout Bursa, connecting most of its attractions.