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Disclaimer: The opinions in this blog are my own and do not reflect the opinions of the US State Department, American Councils for International Education or their affiliates.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Bursa's Hill Top Fortress




This weekend, I hope to catch everyone up with the sites I have seen around Bursa.  Last week, I walked around the edges of Tophane, the ancient hill-top fortress where Bursa was first settled.  Like Istanbul, this most ancient part of Bursa is surrounded by the remains of the Byzantine-era fortress walls.  



The highest point is now a park and contains the tombs of Osman Gazi, the founder and namesake of the Ottoman Empire, and Orhan Gazi, his son and conqueror of Bursa.  Sultan Orhan captured Bursa in 1326, just before his father Osman died.  Osman never entered Bursa while he was alive but his son brought his body to the new capital of the Empire to be buried.  

Tomb of Sufi Saint Uftade, one of the largest tombs in Bursa

The city first expanded beyond the borders of Tophane during the Ottoman period, but the walled old city remained its administrative and spiritual center.  Encompassing a relatively small area, about 1 mile by .5 mile, Tophane is packed full of small but ancient mosques and tombs of Sufi holy men.    



Tophane offers great views of the surrounding valley and Uludag.  Even from Tophane, Ulu Camii  (Mosque) is nearly lost amongst the tangle of streets, shops and apartments. 



The area is also characterized by its winding streets and tightly packed, crumbling Ottoman era buildings.

I haven't posted a picture of a fun Turkish sokak animal in a while.  Here is a one member of the herd of chickens that roams the park surrounding the Sultans' tombs being chased by a fellow CLS student.


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