GREETINGS FROM BURSA

WHERE IS THE TURKEY?

Turkey is between Asia and Europe continents.

Bursa (historically also known as Prussa, Greek: Προύσα, and later as Brusa) is a cityTurkey and the seat of Bursa Province. With a population of 1,562,828 (2007),[1] it is Turkey's fourth largest city, as well as one of the most industrialized and culturally charged metropolitan centers in

the country.

The city is frequently cited as "Yeşil Bursa" (meaning "Green Bursa") in a reference to the parks and gardens located across its urban tissue, as well as to the vast forests in rich variety that extend in its surrounding

region. The city is synonymous with the mountain Uludağ which towers behind the city core and which is also a famous ski resort.

The mausoleums of early Ottoman sultans are located in Bursa and the numerous edifices built throughout the Ottoman period constitute the city's main landmarks. The surrounding fertile plain, its thermal baths,

several interesting museums, notably a rich museum of archaeology, and a rather orderly urban growth are further principal elements that

complete Bursa's overall picture.

Karagöz and Hacivat shadow play characters were historic personalities who lived and are buried in Bursa. Bursa is also home to some of the

most famous Turkish dishes, especially candied chestnuts and İskender kebap.

INTEREST PLACES OF BURSA Ulu Camii (The Great Mosque)

Ulu Camii is the major mosque of Bursa and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture. It was built by Ali Neccar in 1396-1399, at Sultan Bayezid I's

command. The mosque is large and rectangular, with twenty domes arranged in four rows of five supported by twelve columns.

YEŞİL TÜRBEHistorical sites of interest include the Yesil Turbe or Green Mausoleum which holds the

cenotaph of Sultan Mehmet I, father of Mehmet II, and the nearby Ethnographical Museum.

İZNİK (NICAEA)İznik (which derives from the former Greek name Νίκαια, Nicaea) is a city in Turkey which

is primarily known as the site of the First and Second Councils of Nicaea, the first and seventh Ecumenical councils in the early history of the Church, the Nicene Creed, and as

the capital city of the Empire of Nicaea. It served as the interim capital city of the Byzantine Empire between 1204 and 1261, following the Fourth Crusade in 1204, until the

recapture of Constantinople by the Byzantines in 1261.

HOT SPRINGSThe first capital of the Ottoman dynasty has been famous for centuries for the

therapeutic qualities of its natural hot springs. One of the earliest recorded visitors to Bursa to take the waters was the Byzantine Empress Theodora. Today.

the Ottoman baths.

CUMALIKIZIK VILLAGECumalıkızık is a village located 10 kilometers east of Bursa, at the foot of Mount Uludağ. Its

history goes back to the Ottoman Empire's foundation period. The village is within the border of the Yıldırım county. Cumalıkızık was founded by a waqf village. The historical texture of the village has been well protected and the civilian countryside architectural structures of the early Ottoman period are still intact. Because of this, Cumalıkızık has

become a popular but still unspoiled center for tourists.

ULUDAĞNesting above the city is the 2400-metre high Mount Uludag, the legendary

Mount Olympus of Mysia. While there are no historical sights atop the mountain, numerous skiing resorts are testament to the slopes that cater to skiers from

Europe and Asia.

SPECIAL FOODS OF BURSAİSKENDER KEBAP

Bursa cuisine boasts a number of dishes first offered in Turkish people in this city. One such offering is the Iskender Kebab, a pita-based speciality containing strips

of beef that have been soaked overnight in a yoghurt and tomato marinate.

CHESNUT

PEACH OF BURSA

FOLK CULTURE OF BURSABursa has got a deep folk culture, which has reached the present by passing the filter of different civilizations. This structure, which has

occurred by blending those civilizations with the current culture, gives a different atmosphere to the city by reflecting in both plays and life.The main shadow play; Hacivat-Karagöz, unprecedented play; blade-

shield, the janissaryband, which comes from Ottomans and the village plays; Turkmen and

Rumelia folk dances areadded to the instruments and songs.

HACİVAT AND KARAGÖZHacıvat and Karagöz, is the symbol of the shadow plays in Turkey. It is a cultural colour that is known in Turkey and World as well as in Bursa.

It is said that, Hacivat and Karagöz lived in Bursa and worked for the construction of Orhangazi Mosque.

Bursa Janissary BandJanissary Band, which had came to Anatolia from Middle Asian, is still alive in

Bursa strongly. The first Janissary Band House of Bursa was established in 1326, when the city was taken. Bursa Janissary Band House presented its

performance for 500 years till the Guild of Janissaries was closed down.

BLADE-SHIELDBlade-Shield consists of an original music, which is occurred when the blades

and shields crash each other with a rhythmical dance. It is accepted very unusual and authentic because there is no any other play that dancing is

possible without an instrumental music. Its most important speciality is; this play is presented for nearly 700 years with the same figures and style.

Bursa Turkmen Folk Dance PlaysTurkmen Folk Dance Plays are particular in Bursa Location. There is no hand-arm relation at Turkmen Plays. There are buzzers or spoons in the hands for

rhythm. Those folkdance plays are; güvende, sekme yüksek hava (high sound), düz oyun (plain

play), büyük oyun (low sound) and Algerian play.

GEZEK

History of Gezek Culture is based on Seljuk Time. Gezek was an Explorer Group, which had been established to convey the

culture. The group had different kind of people in the condition of that time. The Gezek Groups consisted of only men. Target of the group was to bring people together, who are from different jobs

and social classes. The Gezek is described as follows: The men who are businessmen or politics and interested in art and culture, come together at their big houses or poor houses for one night in

a week and sing songs. “Gezek light” is put on the door, to find the Gezek place easily.

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