Bursa is known to many Turks as Yeşil Bursa
(Green Bursa). Even the colors of the citys football club are white
and green. Looking from the top, the new comers might have difficulty
understanding why the city is called Green Bursa.
Once home to green plains covered with peach
orchards, the citys expanding population, which now has reached nearly
2.5 million, and the developing industries have not left much green in
Turkeys fourth biggest city.
Also known for ski resorts on Uludağ Mountain,
Bursa is very popular among skiers. Yet the city still provides to be a
nice escape from Istanbul even when the skiing season is over, which
ends in March in general. An hour and a half from Istanbul by ferry or
4 hours by car or bus, the city can still be enchanting with its
natural and historical treasures.
Though the history of the city goes back to 5000
B.C., you feel strongly that you are walking in the first capital of
Ottomans who started building their empire from here. The city has
several mosques built by Ottoman leaders. The Great Mosque and the
Green Mosque & Imperial Tomb are not to be missed.
Koza Han (Silk Cocoon Caravanserai), built in the
15th century by Sultan Beyazıd II, can give you the feeling of the old
days of the ancient Silk Road. It is very easy especially for women to
get carried away by the colors of the silks. If you have not been
seduced by several shops offering all kinds of garments and still have
some money left in your pocket, take time to check out the Covered
Bazaar. It is quite fun to walk in the small, organized yet busy
bazaar.
To reach the oldest part of the city you should
walk uphill from the center into the heart of citadel where fine old
houses smile on you from centuries past. At the most panoramic location
of the citadel, the tombs of Osman and Orhan, founders of Ottoman
dynasty, offer views of Bursa throughout the ages.
For those planning to go to Bursa, it is good to
know that the city is also famous for its spas and many of the hotels
provide hot baths and Turkish hamams.
There are many ways to go to Bursa. The simplest is
to take the fast ferry that departs from Kabataş on Istanbuls European
side and goes directly to Güzelyalı, a small village near Bursa, in
under an hour and a half. From Güzelyalı to Bursa, there is public
transportation including busses and dolmuşes, that will take 15 to 20
minutes.
Sea busses depart every day from Kabataş on the
European side and make a stop in Kadıköy and arrive in Güzelyalı in two
hours. There is also a ferry that leaves from Yenikapı, near the city
center, that take about an hour and a half to arrive at Güzelyalı.
Another alternative would be to take the bus. Many
companies have Bursa on their list of destinations. Some companies have
buses that depart every half an hour. The travel lasts up to four hours
and is pleasant because it also includes sea travel, as the bus takes
the ferry from Gebze to cross the Gulf of Marmara. For those who would
like to travel with their car and not take a ferry, the travel time is
again about four hours.
Bursa is also worth going for gourmet tourism. The
city is famous for the İskender kebab. This döner kebab with tomato
sauce and yogurt was created in Bursa. While the city hosts several
restaurants that serve İskender kebaps, Bursa Kebapçısı, established in
1956, is one of the oldest.
For many years it has served its delicious İskender
kebab in a 100-year-old building in the old city center.
The two-story building is small yet the owners have
not tried to put as many tables as possible, leaving enough space
between the tables.
The decoration provides a warm and homely
atmosphere. On the first floor, a big parakeet named Yakup greets you.
The second floor features a private room suitable for group events. We
have most of our associations gatherings here, said Nurten Akdöl, a
regular customer. The same room enjoys a view to the city of Bursa and,
if not reserved for a group, is open to individual visitors as well.
As is usual with most restaurants that specialize
in the İskender kebap, Bursa Kebapçısı has only two different courses
to offer: İskender kebap and etli pide, another form of kebap without
tomato sauce and yogurt.
The menu for deserts on the other hand is more
diversified. The restaurant offers several sweets prepared with fruits
like quince and fig, with recipes from the Ottoman court.
Meanwhile walking around town, it is impossible to
miss the stores offering the areas famous candied chestnut, which was
introduced to the Turkish culinary culture from Bursa.
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Please note: None of the material on these pages is hosted by
the Turkish Radio's server. These are simply reference points for your
convenience. To see the material at their original locations, right
click on it and choose "Open Link in New Window".