If you have not read the previous related post, read it here.
Today we were going to visit the sights in Bursa. Much less crowded than the 15 million people in Istanbul in addition to the tourists. As mentioned before, Bursa as the first area/state that the Ottomans conquered. Before they did so, their Sultan promised to build 20 mosques once their conquest was done. Well when it was done apparently there was a lack of cash. So the Sultan build their first large mosque with 20 domes instead -- symbolizing the 20 mosques. This was the Grand Mosque.
Today we were going to visit the sights in Bursa. Much less crowded than the 15 million people in Istanbul in addition to the tourists. As mentioned before, Bursa as the first area/state that the Ottomans conquered. Before they did so, their Sultan promised to build 20 mosques once their conquest was done. Well when it was done apparently there was a lack of cash. So the Sultan build their first large mosque with 20 domes instead -- symbolizing the 20 mosques. This was the Grand Mosque.
The Grand Mosque with a minaret
The art on one of the 20 domes
The floor is carpeted like this. Each rectangle demarks one spot for a person to pray in.
This mosque was also a center for Islamic learning.
The fountain inside the Mosque. Regulates the temperature inside. During winter, if it is too cold to do ablution outside they can do it here. The sound of water helps to attain a peaceful atmosphere. The calligraphy on the pillars mark the early Ottoman designs. Instead of expensive mosiac, the mosque was decorated with these painted designs.
Next we visit the nearby silk market called Kozahan. During those times, a big mosque like this is used to position the center of the city where other related buildings will be constructed nearby. Being enterprising, the Ottomans built the silk market right opposite the mosque. In those days, Bursa was the western end of the silk road. Soon the Ottoman Empire will grow and basically monopolize land access to the silk road from Europe.
Next we visit the nearby silk market called Kozahan. During those times, a big mosque like this is used to position the center of the city where other related buildings will be constructed nearby. Being enterprising, the Ottomans built the silk market right opposite the mosque. In those days, Bursa was the western end of the silk road. Soon the Ottoman Empire will grow and basically monopolize land access to the silk road from Europe.
Silk market
Modern shops in this few hundred year old structure (about 500).
Kozahan is like a square perimeter with a prayer room in the center. The center is also a nice place for tea.
We got bored and went out to the nearby street market to take a look.
These, my guide say, are plums. More like mini-plums to me.
Strange looking vegetable
Up in the mountains in the Bursa region there is a national park called Uludag National Park. It is supposed to be beautiful in winter. Since we are here in late spring we were not supposed to go up. But our local guide took us up anyway for some nice fresh air. We went up via cable car.
The base station
Map of the journey up.
There seems to be some broke-back activity in the mountains...
Reaching the top, some residual snow visible
At the top, 1600+ metres. There is still some ice lying around. The air is fresh with the occasional smell of dog poop.
Peaks in a distance
Someone in my group accidentally destroyed the last surviving snowman. What a shame.
We descended via the same cable car and next we proceed to our lunch place. We were going to have lunch at a place where the Sultan used to feed the poor people. The building has no windows so as not to cause unnecessary embarrassment for anybody.
Lunch place where poor people like us eat.
The interior. In the top right corner is where the Sultan seats. To the left of that used to be a fountain with running water. The running water served as a sound curtain so that the commoners cannot hear the Sultan's discussions.
Poor man's soup
Starter
Main course. The yellow thing the chicken is lying on is not mash potato. It is some concoction made from eggplant, cheese and other things.
After lunch we coached to our next hotel at Kusadasi. It is a place with the lovely view of the Aegean Sea. If we are not careful, we will encounter a thousand Greek ships ready to invade our hotel for their captured queen. Okay, just bullshit, but it is the sea where many large invasions crossed and where the Greeks sailed to to invade Troy.
An interesting sight along the way -- car wash Turkish style! Just before you think that they only do this to old or cheap cars, we they were using the same broom on the BMW a short while later...
Sunset by the Aegean coast
Tomorrow we were going to visit some interesting ancient places since Greek times -- the site of Ephesus, one of the richest cities during the ancient times. The area also has high biblical significance because John and Mary lived nearby where we were going to visit.
See the next related entry here.
Return to the trip index here.
See the next related entry here.
Return to the trip index here.
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