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Home » Destinations » Europe » Turkey

The Grand Mosque and Green Tomb, Icons of Bursa

Modified: Oct 14, 2021 · Published: Jul 6, 2015 by Dave Lee |

Ulucami - Great Mosque of Bursa
Entrance to Ulucami in Bursa

The Grand Mosque and Green Tomb are two icons of Bursa, a city a few hours south of Istanbul.

When my time with Turkish Airlines drew to a close, after exploring Istanbul, Ephesus, and Pamukkale together, it was time to strike off on my own.

I paid $8.50 for a ferry ticket from Istanbul to Bursa, a city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014:

"This property is a serial nomination of eight component sites in the City of Bursa and the nearby village of Cumalikizik, in the southern Marmara region. The site illustrates the creation of an urban and rural system establishing the Ottoman Empire in the early 14th century."

UNESCO
Ulucami - Grand Mosque of Bursa
Interior of Ulucami

Ulucami (Grand Mosque)

The main attraction is Ulucami, the Grand Mosque of Bursa, featuring 20 domes, two minarets, and a large water fountain in the middle.

This monumental mosque was built between 1396 - 1399 and is famous for its Islamic calligraphy.

The interior is quite beautiful and well worth a quick look.

Green Mosque
Inside the Green Mosque

Yesil Mosque (Green Mosque)

Another excellent example of early Ottoman architecture is the Green Mosque, built from 1419 - 1421.

Similar to how the Blue Mosque in Istanbul was named after the blue tiles used inside, the Green Mosque features blue and green tile work.

Green Tomb at sunset.
The Green Tomb at sunset

Yesil Turbe (Green Tomb)

More interesting to me was the Green Tomb, a mausoleum where Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I was laid to rest in 1421.

It was ordered by the Sultan's son and designed by the same architect as the Green Mosque.

Unlike the mosque, however, the mausoleum features colorful tiles on the exterior and the interior.

Burial sites inside the Green Tomb in Bursa, Turkey.
The tomb of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I

_____

Bursa and Cumalikizik: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. Click here for the complete list of UNESCO sites I've visited.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Xahid Hasan says

    August 21, 2015 at 10:33 am

    Mosques are just heaven of peace. & these photos are just way to beautiful.

  2. Izy Berry says

    October 07, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    the phots are incredible !!! every mosque i see are very fancy

  3. Anoop Bharadwaj says

    October 23, 2015 at 2:42 am

    I just fell in love with your article along with beautiful pictures. It took me virtually to the land of Bursa. The eye-striking mosque gave me a tranquil feel and generated a curiosity to visit this famous place at the earliest.

  4. Piotr Kulczycki says

    October 27, 2015 at 8:12 am

    Hi Dave,
    what camera do you use for your travel photography? Maybe you write a post sharing what's in your bag?
    Cheers
    Piotr

  5. Gyil Gil says

    November 16, 2015 at 12:49 am

    thanks

  6. Tammy says

    November 19, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    Beautiful pics, reminds me of my days living in Istanbul and exploring Turkey

  7. Sofia says

    December 15, 2015 at 2:01 am

    I love this mosque's details. Awesome shots!

  8. Robin says

    December 30, 2015 at 8:18 am

    Nice Post! Bursa is a large city in turkey. I like bursa very much. The green tomb is one of my favorite place i always like to go there.
    Thanks for sharing

  9. Trisha Velarmino - P.S. I'm On My Way says

    February 24, 2016 at 10:56 pm

    All your posts from Turkey makes me want to book a ticket to the country as soon as possible! I have been doing research and I already feel awestruck with the meticulous detail and wonderful colours and shapes that's present in Ottoman architecture. Interesting to see remnants of a once powerful empire. I can just imagine the feeling if I see it in person. Thanks for sharing, Dave!
    Is Turkey easily accessible for a solo female traveler?

    • Dave says

      February 25, 2016 at 1:00 am

      Yes, I think it's generally okay, but as in many countries, you may get unwanted attention.

  10. Rohit Dua says

    February 25, 2016 at 6:35 am

    The mosque is looking stunning.

  11. ronin1770 says

    February 29, 2016 at 10:54 pm

    How is the security situation generally in Turkey. I want to visit - however bit concerned with recent attacks

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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