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Most visitors to the Muradiye district of Bursa, Turkey, will see the Muradiye Complex and move on, but there are a few other minor landmarks to look out for.
Şair Ahmed Pasha Madrasa
First, directly across from the Muradiye Complex and near the Ottoman House Museum, which is covered in another entry, is the former Şair Ahmed Pasha Madrasa (Şair Ahmed Paşa Medresesi). It was built in the late 15th century by Ahmed Pasha (1426-1496), a poet and vizier under Mehmed the Conqueror.
Today, the madrasa houses the Uluumay Ottoman Folk Costumes And Jewelry Museum (Uluumay Osmanlı Halk Kıyafetleri Ve Takılar Müzesi). It opened to the public on September 18, 2004, displaying the private collection of Esat Uluumay. The collection contains costumes from 72 ethnic groups of people who lived within the borders of the Ottoman Empire as well as over 800 pieces of jewelry, handicrafts, weapons, and other objects.
The museum is open daily except Mondays from 9am to 6pm and admission is 60₺ (as of May 2023). Unfortunately, it was closed for restoration when we tried to visit.
Tomb of Şair Ahmed Pasha
Ahmed Pasha is buried in a tomb on the property of the madrasa. The tomb was built between 1496 and 1497, and contains only the sarcophagus of the poet.
Muradiye Park
Just south of the Muradiye Complex is Muradiye Park (Muradiye Parkı). It’s an attractive public space with places to sit, and there’s a modern cafeteria building in the center.
Hüsnu Züber House Museum
Hidden on a narrow street a block west of the park is the Hüsnu Züber House Museum (Hüsnu Züber Evi Müzesi). This 19th century Ottoman house was used as a state guesthouse in 1836 and later as a Russian consulate.
From 1877 to 1988, the house was used as a private residence. A man named Hüsnü Züber then purchased the house, restored it, and opened an ethnographic museum on December 27, 1992. Highlights included a collection of wooden spoons and musical instruments. The house was undergoing restoration when we tried to visit, and was turned into the Muradiye Youth Center (Muradiye Gençlik Merkezi) in July 2021. The museum still functions inside.
Taxiarchis Church
Heading west through the neighborhood from the Hüsnü Züber House Museum, a steep walk uphill to Demirkapı Avenue will take you to the ruins of the Taxiarchis Church (Demirkapı Kilisesi). It’s one of the rare church buildings still standing in Bursa.
This Greek Orthodox church was originally built in the first half of the 14th century during the reign of Sultan Orhan. The current structure was built in 1835 with the permission of Sultan Mahmud II. The inscription on the door was in Turkish with Greek letters.
The church lost its entire congregation after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. In 1926, it became property of the Yılmaz family and functioned as a silk spinning factory until 1985, when it was abandoned.
From the top of the hill, on a clear day, you can get great views of the city of Bursa. I imagine it’s better on a clear day.
Street Market
Finally, on one of the days I visited, there was a large street market outside the Muradiye Complex. I was able to find several varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables for very low prices. The market was set among a mix of old Ottoman homes and modern buildings. It was a great opportunity to witness everyday life in Bursa.
