Bursa
The city of Bursa, which was founded on the foothills of Mt. Uludağ, was one of the first periods of history and became an important settlement. The ruins of the ancient city, which was founded during the Byzantine period, still serve the inhabitants.
Bursa is also the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. The mosques, bazaars, baths and madrassas built during the foundation years of the Ottoman Empire are still standing and continue to serve. Mt.Uludağ is 35 km from bursa and has the largest and most comprehensive winter sports center in the country. With its long ski slopes equipped with all technical facilities, this ski resort is a great winter holiday destination.
Bursa is home to very delicious fruit and vegetables with its climate and fertile soil. As a natural result of this, it has its own kitchen. Iskender Kebap which exceeds the Bursa boundaries is one of the most popular tastes of this city. Don’t forget to taste this delicious meal during your visit.
Nicaea : The city of Ancient Romans.
Located 87km from Bursa is İznik, formerly known as Nicaea, which lies at the eastern tip of Lake İznik. The city was founded in 316BC by Antigonas, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. İznik was then taken by another general, Lysimachus, who named the city Nicaea after his wife. After playing a role as an important Roman, and then Byzantine city, it fell to the Seljuks in 1078 and later to the Ottomans in 1331. The Roman theatre was built by Trajan (249-251) and on the shores of Lake İznik stands the Roman senate, where the first Council of Nicaea took place in 325. At the centre of town is the Church of St Sophia, used for one of the most important councils held in 787 over iconoclasm. The church served as a mosque under the rule of the Ottomans. İznik co-equals Jerusalem and the Vatican in its importance to the Christian world.
HIGHLIGHTS of BURSA
– Great Mosque
– Yeşil Mosque
– Ethnography Museum
– Emir Sultan Mosque
– Yıldırım Beyazit Mosque
– Muradiye Complex
– Yıldız Park Tea Gardens