Bursa

Bursa, in northwestern Turkey, was the first Ottoman capital. Today it is an industrial city, especially in the auto and textile fields. Nearby Uludag Mountain is a very popular ski resort among Turks.

Although the city was settled prior to the 2nd century B.C., it grew in importance during early Christianity with the arrival of silkworms and the establishment of looms. The silk industry continues to this day.

Bursa is also a very important city for Turks today because the Ottoman Empire, and to some extent Turkish culture, was born there. In the 13th century, Ertugrul Gazi and his son Osman Gazi (where the name “Osmanli”, or “Ottoman”, comes from) formed a small state near Bursa, which was soon expanded by Orhan Gazi. Even though the Ottoman capital moved to Edirne in 1402, Bursa remained an important Ottoman city.

Thus, the city is particularly appealing to those interested in the Ottoman history and architecture. Several 14th to 15th century mosques can be seen throughout the city as well as Ottoman Era tombs of the founders of the empire and other sultans.

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