Last updated on December 20, 2023.

The Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) is the largest and most famous mosque in Bursa, Turkey. It’s also one of the most beautiful in the entire country.

Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Grand Mosque

 

History

The Grand Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Bayezid I to commemorate his victory over the Crusaders at the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396. The architect was Ali Neccar and it was built between 1396 and 1399. The mosque was renovated between 2008 and 2010.

North side of the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
North side

The Grand Mosque is included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the city of Bursa. It’s located in the bazaar area of the historic city center.

Main entrance portal
Fountain in front of the main entrance

The mosque has 20 domes supported by 12 columns. It’s said that Sultan Bayezid I wanted to build 20 mosques to celebrate his victory, but built just one with 20 domes on the suggestion of his son-in-law and advisor Emir Sultan (1368-1429).

West side
Fountain on the southwest corner

There are two minarets. The minaret on the northwest corner was built by Sultan Bayezid I and is attached to the mosque. The minaret on the northeast corner was built by Sultan Mehmed I and is detached from the building.

East side

 

Prayer Hall

The prayer hall of the mosque is absolutely stunning, with wide-open spaces and high ceilings. It has a surface area of 3,165 ½ square meters, and the sections created by the pillars create a sense of privacy.

Prayer hall of the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Prayer hall
Prayer hall of the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Prayer hall
A section of the prayer hall
Prayer hall
Prayer hall

 

Ablutions Fountain

A unique 18-sided ablutions fountain (şadırvan) sits at the center of the prayer hall underneath an open dome. The fountain dates back to the 19th century.

Ablutions fountain of the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Ablutions fountain

Although there are chandeliers today, the open dome and windows provided light in the past. During the day, they keep the mosque dimly lit, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The open dome is now covered by glass.

Ablutions fountain of the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Ablutions fountain

 

Mihrab

The ornately decorated mihrab dates back to 1572 and features a muqarnas canopy. It was commissioned by Zeyni Çelebi, a patron of the mosque, and made by a craftsman named Mehmed. The decorations date back to 1905. The muezzin’s loge (muezzin mahfili) was built in 1549.

Mihrab, minbar, and muezzin's loge of the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Mihrab and muezzin’s loge
Mihrab of the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Mihrab

 

Minbar

The wooden minbar was made in a traditional Seljuk style using the kundekari technique. It consists of interlocking pieces of wood held together without nails or glue. It was built by a craftsman named Hacı Mehmed bin Abdülaziz from Gaziantep and is decorated with carvings of geometric and floral patterns.

Minbar of the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Minbar

 

Calligraphy

The Grand Mosque contains some of the best examples of Islamic calligraphy in the entire world. In fact, it’s regarded as a “museum of calligraphy”.

Calligraphy
Calligraphy

In total, there are 192 inscriptions completed by the best calligraphers of the Ottoman period. Most of the calligraphy dates between 1778 and 1938.

A column decorated with calligraphy
Calligraphy at the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Calligraphy

 

Kaaba Curtain

Finally, on the left side of the mosque is the sultan’s loge as well as a door curtain from the Kaaba in Mecca. The curtain was given to the mosque by Sultan Selim I in 1517 and sits behind a pane of glass. Click here for a virtual tour of the Grand Mosque of Bursa.

Sultan's loge (left) and Kaaba curtain (right) at the Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey
Sultan’s loge (left) and Kaaba curtain (right)

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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