Greenery, history and serenity in Bursa's touristic districts

The first capital of the Ottoman Empire and one of the most touristic provinces in the Marmara region, Bursa, is ready to embrace you this weekend with its mesmerizing districts and mouth-watering tastes. Situated opposite Istanbul across the Marmara Sea, Bursa is Turkey's fourth-largest city and the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Once a backwater of the Byzantine Empire, this city has witnessed the fall and establishment of states having significance throughout history. Situated on the Silk Road, which was the main trade destination that linked the East to the West, Bursa is at the core of the automotive industry in Turkey and not to mention the silk center of excellence.

Among Turkish people, Bursa is renowned for its food, especially for "Bursa İskender." A journey in Bursa is not complete without trying one of Turkey's most popular dishes, İskender. İskender Efendi, who gave his name to this traditional delight, first came up with the recipe in 19th century Bursa. First, the platter is lined with a layer of diced Turkish pide bread. Then, thinly sliced layers of succulent doner kebab prepared from lamb meat is placed evenly over the bread. The already appetizing dish is then flavored with a drizzle of hot tomato sauce over the meat and then topped off with hot, melted, aromatic butter. The dish is usually served with plain yogurt on the side. Once you take your first bite, your taste buds will start a happy dance to thank you. This flavor bomb, unfortunately not for vegetarians, is one of the best options for those looking for meaty Turkish cuisine. When eaten in its hometown Bursa, double satisfaction is guaranteed. The good news is, İskender Efendi's descendants are still running a small restaurant near the city to make sure you are not deprived of the İskender experience the way it is meant to be.

Bursa has so much well-kept beauty, including thermal resorts and all tones of green, which are not included among everyday touristic destinations. Tourists who have researched Turkey before visiting, as well as second time visitors, who have never traveled through Aegean or Southern cities, will want to stop in Bursa even for a short visit.

The city center of Bursa has combined the natural beauty, the historical monuments and today's modernity on their streets. There are many mosques, green hills, modern shopping malls and shopping streets along with historical monuments displaying the legacy of Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire. Apart from the central touristic destinations of Bursa, there are many hidden districts around Bursa that deserved to be discovered.

Mudanya

Mudanya is only half an hour away from the city center of Bursa, and for those who arrive in Bursa from a ferry in Istanbul, Mudanya is the first destination to hop off. This little seaside town is also a must-see. With its small, well-preserved historical houses and hidden nature, Mudanya can be regarded as the last escape point before you go back to Istanbul. Medikion Monastary in Mudanya was built in the 8th century and is one of the oldest monasteries in the region. Its name was turned into Medikion Monastery in 11th century. When it was first built, the monastery was used as a huge farm, but today only some doors, each weighing 200 kg, and some walls of the monastery can be visited in Mudanya. Another historic place that has witnessed the city's history is Kemerli Church. Also known as the Panagia Pantobassillissa Church, it is the first church in history that has paintings on its walls. Many of the paintings have been destroyed over time but there are still some to see. Apart from historic remnants, there are hamams (Turkish baths) and mansions that can be found in the Mudanya region dating back to old times. What makes the district such a nice destination to visit is not only its remnants but also its tranquil nature. It is a nice option for those looking some calm and tranquility. You can sit at the cafes and watch the Marmara Sea while puffing away on your hookah (water pipe).

Uludağ

No visit to Bursa is complete without a trip to Uludağ (Turkish for "Sublime Mountain"), especially if you want a breath of fresh air and to oversee the beauty of Bursa among the outskirts of this mountain. Uludağ is a popular center for both winter and for summer activities such as trekking, camping and skiing. Watching the sunset while caught in a sweet breeze and warm coffee in hand shouldn't be missed. The national parks and cafes on the mountain await those who are looking for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. While you are in Uludağ, you should definitely visit the "Tarihi Ulu Çınar" (Historical Sublime Sycamore) which dates back 600 years. The cafes and restaurants around this extraordinary tree - almost 40 meters tall, its trunk nearly 10 meters thick - offer a lovely atmosphere for visitors to sit and relax.

İnegöl

İnegöl is one of the most crowded districts in Bursa. Today, it is considered the commercial center among all districts surrounding Bursa. With its ancient name of Angelecoma, İnegöl's history dates back to 3,000 B.C. During its history for 5,000 years, İnegöl witnessed the civilization of Hittites, Lydians, Persians and Macedonians. Even though there are still some remnants from the past in İnegöl, most of those historic places were ruined over time. Today, İnegöl remains forefront with its natural beauties and thermal springs such as Oylat Thermal Springs. Oylat is one of the most renowned destinations in İnegöl, not only with thermal springs but also with Oylat Cave, Oylat Rainfall and Oylat Bazaar. Similar to İznik, İnegöl also has a renowned recipe for meatballs you must try when you visit İnegöl.

Cumalıkızık

Cumalıkızık village is the first Ottoman village that was founded 700 years ago and is one of the few places that protects its historic ambiance. Having taken its name from the seven Kızık villages– a name used to define villages around Uludağ-, Cumalıkızık was where Friday prayer (Cuma Namazı) was held among all seven villages. The village today is renowned across the country since many Turkish TV series are shot there. There are nearly 300 families that have been living in Cumalıkızık and the houses in the villages are accepted as the best examples of Ottoman architecture. Some of those houses are still in a period of renovation, while some still serve as accommodations for tourists. When you visit the village, you will see villagers selling organic products on street corners. The village has such an ambiance that it assures you to have one of the most tranquil nights in your life. No visit to Cumalıkızık is complete without having a village breakfast in the morning. With many organic products, the village offers you the best breakfast you can have.

İznik

The district of İznik, which was added to UNESCO's tentative list in the past, has a history going back 2,400 years. Known as Nicaea in Greek, the region is described in the Christian world as the third holy city after Jerusalem and the Vatican and is an important holy site. İznik is also known for its traditional ceramic tiles that appeared in architecture around 3,000 B.C., which Seljuks also arrived thousands of years later. Ceramic art peaked in the 13th century and adorns many historic palaces and mausoleums. İznik tiles were first produced in their current form in the 15th century during the Ottoman era. During your visit, you must buy İznik tiles to take home with you. İznik is also renowned for its meatballs, you should visit Köfteci Yusuf when you arrive in İznik and taste their incredible meatballs.