A route where history and peace intertwine, from the fountain of the Grand Mosque to the presence of Emir Sultan.
The Grand Mosque, which Evliya Çelebi called 'The Hagia Sophia of Bursa', strikes you with its atmosphere the moment you enter. The sound of water from that large fountain in the middle disconnects one from the world. The calligraphy plates inside are like an open-air museum; each gives a distinct message. The display of the Kaaba's door cover here is another spiritual bond. The taste of a prayer performed here, the peace of a supplication made here is different. This is not a mosque, but almost a prayer book made of stone.
The tomb of Emir Sultan, one of the spiritual guardians of Bursa, is located on one of the highest hills of the city, among cypresses. Those steep slopes might take your breath away while going up here, but the view you see and the peace you feel when you reach the top are worth it. Just below, the Green Tomb and Green Mosque, famous for their tiles, are the pinnacle of art and faith. In these places, you feel the importance the Ottomans gave to both art and spirituality in your bones.
It is impossible to come to Bursa and return without eating Iskender. But not just anywhere; in those established restaurants serving in the historic blue shop or old wooden mansions. The pita bread laid under the plate, the thin doner meat on top, the tomato sauce, and that butter poured at the table making a 'sizzle' sound... Alongside grape juice (şıra), this flavor is a ritual rather than a meal. The most delicious form of halal cut meat has turned into art in Bursa.
"There are some cities where you feel as if someone is praying for you behind your back while walking in their streets. Bursa is exactly such a place. Leaning its back against the majesty of Uludağ, turning its face to history, the 'Grand City' with the breath of a saint in every corner. Time here does not run like in Istanbul, it walks slowly, contemplatively, like a dervish. If you are ready, we are embarking on a journey that will satisfy both your eyes and your heart."
A trip to Bursa is not just a tourist activity, but a spiritual purification. Praying in front of the letter 'Waw' in the Grand Mosque, looking at the city from Tophane and greeting Osman Ghazi, drinking tea in the shade of the Inkaya Plane Tree... These remind one of their 'roots'. In Bursa, perhaps the most comfortable city in Turkey regarding halal food, your soul will find peace while your palate is cheered. Don't forget to take candied chestnuts with you on your return, but your real gift will be that lightness you feel in your heart.
