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The Grand Mosque of Bursa (Ulu Cami) is the largest and most famous mosque in the city. It’s also one of the most beautiful in Turkey.
Introduction to the Grand Mosque of Bursa
The Grand Mosque of Bursa 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.
The Grand Mosque of Bursa is included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the city of Bursa. It’s located in the historic city center.
Exterior Features of the Grand Mosque of Bursa
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. Instead, he built a single mosque with 20 domes on the suggestion of his son-in-law and advisor Emir Sultan (1368-1429).
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.
Prayer Hall of the Grand Mosque of Bursa
The prayer hall of the mosque is absolutely stunning, with wide-open spaces and high ceilings. It has a surface area of 3,165.5 square meters, and the sections created by the pillars create a sense of privacy.
Ablutions Fountain
A unique 18-sided ablutions fountain (şadırvan) sits at the center of the prayer hall underneath an open dome. The fountain dates to the 19th century.
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.
Mihrab
The ornately decorated mihrab dates 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 were done in 1905, while the muezzin’s loge (muezzin mahfili) was built in 1549.
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.
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”.
In total, there are 192 inscriptions completed by the best calligraphers of the Ottoman period. Most of the calligraphy dates between 1778 and 1938.
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.
Şengül Hamam
In front of the Grand Mosque of Bursa is the former Şengül Hamam (Şengül Hamamı). It was built by Sultan Bayezid I in the 15th century and underwent major renovations in 1551 and 1718. Income from the hamam was dedicated to the upkeep of the mosque, and it was used as a bath until 1930. Today, it functions as the Silversmiths’ Bazaar (Gümüşçüler Çarşısı) and is full of jewelry shops selling silver.
