You Know What...: UnforgettableTurkey - Day 3:- Bursa- Pamukkale

Day 3: Tour of Bursa

Truly, I find Turkey a place where you can get your money's worth on history, romance, adventure, mystery all rolled in one beautiful package!

the Silk Bazaar - ideal for a romantic rendezvous...breathtaking!

As the previous day, from as early as 6.30, right after breakfast, all members were busy and rigourously snapping photos outside the hotel. All bags were packed and we were ready for our tour of Bursa city, the main attraction being the Grand Mosque of Bursa and the Green Mosque. A little bit of history of Bursa. The city was apparently the last destination of the Silk Route.

Roadsigns in busy Bursa City

Friendly, pretty receptionist at the Carvanserai Hotel

early morning photo snapping session before leaving for tour of Bursa

Thus already a thriving city from that time, Bursa was the first capital of the Turks. The influence of Islam came as early as the 15th century, with the coming of the many strong forces then, like the Seljuks, and later on the Ottoman influence. Alas, being too mersmerized by the fascinating architecture of the ancient mosques, I lost quite a bit of Enis's explanations in those mosques. But the one thing that stood distinctly in my mind was that one of the mosque had many small domes on it. History has it that when one of the conquerors captured Turkey then, he vowed to build twenty domes in Bursa. What he really meant by that was that he wanted to build 20 mosques in and around Bursa. However, later on he discovered that the government had not enough means to build 20 grand mosques. Recalling carefully what he had actually said to his people, he improvised his promise of 20 domes to building mosques with many small domes instead. On later travels, I discovered that many other mosques elsewhere in Turkey had adopted this structural design with many small domes covering the roofs. One more thing that I found interesting was that, although Turkey is strictly secular, one can find mosques almost every 1 km or so along the way. Interesting...

statue of Ibn Sina in middle of the City

The two mosques we visited were both richly historical in their own rights. In the Grand Mosque, we can see a water fountain (not switched on at that time due to the cold season) with a clear open roof right at the top. The significance of that open roof as I understood from Enis's explanation was that if it rains, the rainfall would fall onto the water fountain, and would give a certain therapeutic sound. Also, we were told that the main design for the Grand Mosque had the strong floral influence of the Ottomans. We spent about 20 mins in the mosque, snapping photos as well as performing the solat tahiyat masjid. I was humbled praying at that ancient mosque, and later at the Green Mosque . To think of standing and prostrating in prayer in mosques more than 500 years old, where great muslim scholars and warriors may have once stood where I was praying, was indeed a humbling experience. That awesome feeling stayed with me everytime I prayed at the other mosques as well.

The Grand Mosque Bursa, setting a scenic background

Entrance to the Grand Mosque - winter, time for renovation

Interior of the Mosque - where the therapeutic fountain stands, under renovation

Interior of Grand Mosque, Bursa

Enis giving an insight to the history of Grand Mosque Bursa

Solat Tahiyat Masjid in the Mosque - a humbling experience, by Allah's Grace alone...

The Green Mosque of Bursa on the other hand, was more austere, and older. Austere here I mean it looked more sombre, with not as many of the Ottoman touches. What I understood it had the more military cut of the powerful Seljuks. One interesting point was the ingeniously designed reverse triangle designs which decrate the mosque. Not only were the designs unique, but it was the fascinatingly clever effect of amplifying the sound within the mosque to such an extent that the voice of the imam reciting the suras during the jamaah prayer is bounced back by these reverse triangles and so can clearly be heard by the maamum right at the back row (saf). Advanced technology...and no need for microphone. Fascinating....

The Green Mosque in Bursa

The Ingenious Reverse Triangle design outside and within the mosque

The Green Mosque, Bursa - now you know why it is called the Green Mosque!

Homes in Bursa, viewed from the Green Mosque

Apart from the tour of historical mosques, we also stopped momentarily at the Ancient Silk Bazaaar, once alive with traders frequenting the Silk Route. The existing silk stores were just about opening when we made our way there. Still in awe of the majestic view of the mosque, I wasn't much yet into my shopping mood, just simply walked around admiring the location, which I found had a romantic feel to it, even though the skies were cloudy and the surrounding grey...romantic in a melancholic kind of way I suppose. As usual, Datin and Zura, wasted no time in bargaining for silk scarfs.

Silk Bazaar in Bursa

Inside the Silk Bazaar building

Shopping scarves at the Silk Bazaar

From here we were about to embark on a 6 hour bus trip to Pamukkale. A long drive with 2 stops for lunch and prayer. Most of the time it was between looking at the scenery or sleep for all of us. However towards the evening, Dr. Zainundin decided to make the trip more lively by making each and every expedition member introduce themselves. Dato made good of his introduction immediately gaining the respect from the rest of us for his very friendly style and choice of words...really good sense of humour, but we in the family have always known that. On the whole, it was a good way of breaking the ice amongst us. A good effort POTO, well done indeed!