Bursas UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Having officially taken its place in the UNESCO World Heritage Site List in 2014, the Turkish city of Bursa is recognized as the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire. Even though it wasn’t the empire’s capital, it was the city where the Ottoman social framework developed, helping to lay the foundation for its social and cultural infrastructure. As such, the city is full of important monuments, especially a number of külliye, a structure of social and religious value usually composed of a mosque, tomb, hamam, soup kitchen, a religious school, and a health clinic. Here is a look at the UNESCO sites in Bursa that must be visited.

1. Orhan Gazi Külliye and Central Bazaar Area

Bazaar, Mosque

Orhan Gazi Külliye and Central Bazaar Area

When Orhan Gazi conquered Bursa, he promoted the urbanization of the foothills at the base of the Uludağ Mountain. Completed around 1340, the project included a mosque, hamam, and a commercial trade center. Nowadays, the külliye continues to serve its purpose, except that the hamam was converted into a bazaar called the Aynalı Çarşı, featuring antique and souvenir shops.

Orhan Gazi Külliye, Nalbantoğlu, Bursa, Turkey

https://instagram.com/p/BFpNvJiR1eT/

2. Osman and Orhan Gazi Tombs

Monastery, Park

Osman and Orhan Gazi Tombs

The mausoleum of Orhan Gazi and his father Osman Gazi stand side by side inside the gates of Tophane Park, which is located in an old citadel on top of a hill. Unlike most sultans who were buried in their külliye, Gazi rests in what was once a Byzantine monastery, which also has a 19th-century clock tower overlooking the city.

Orhan Gazi Türbesi, Yiğitler Caddesi, Bursa, Turkey

https://instagram.com/p/BH2DrnRhXeA/

3. Hüdavendigar Külliye of Sultan Murad I

Mosque

Hüdavendigar Külliye of Sultan Murad I

Constructed in the 1360s by Sultan Murad I (the son of Orhan Gazi), this külliye (composed of a mosque, madrassah, tomb, fountains, and soup kitchen) carries the nickname of Murad, ‘Hüdavendigar.’ A unique feature is the madrassah, which was built into the mosque’s second floor.

Hüdavendigar Külliye, Çekirge, Bursa, Turkey

https://instagram.com/p/BI7RCZ5ANxx/

5. Yeşil Külliye of Sultan Mehmed I

Mosque, Museum, Shop

Yeşil Külliye of Sultan Mehmed I

Built in 1419 by Mehmed I, this structure consists of a mosque, tomb, soup kitchen, madrassah, and hamam. Nowadays, the madrassah has been converted into the Turkish Islamic Arts Museum, the soup kitchen into a café, and the hamam into a pretty souvenir shop.

Yeşil Külliye, Yıldırım, Bursa, Turkey

https://instagram.com/p/-OM73UIMYm/

6. Muradiye Külliye of Sultan Murad II

Mosque

Muradiye Külliye of Sultan Murad II

Built in 1426 by Sultan Murad II, this külliye pushed the city toward the west end due to its westward positioning. The last külliye to be built by the Ottoman sultans and certainly the city’s largest, the Muradiye complex is beautifully ornamented and originally housed a mosque, hamam, madrassah, a soup kitchen, and health clinic, as well as fountains, tombs, and cemeteries.

Muradiye Külliyesi, Sedat Sokak, Bursa, Turkey

https://instagram.com/p/BFbwiMdqkXC/

7. Village of Cumalıkızık

Village of Cumalıkızık

This beautifully preserved 700-year-old village on the Uludağ mountainside is the only UNESCO site that is not in the city center. An excellent example of early Ottoman rural life, the area also represents how sultans would build commercial trade centers and villages in order to generate income for the construction of their külliye. Cumalıkızık is especially important in this regard because it generated income directly for the Orhan Gazi Külliye.

Cumalıkızık Köyü, Bursa, Turkey

https://instagram.com/p/BOh-KduD6WQ/

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.