The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Osmangazi, Bursa Province

Reviewed By carolas936 - Marietta, United States

Muradiye mosque is part of a complex composed of the mosque, a madrassa (former school, now a museum), hospice, hamamı (bath), 12 royal tombs and a historic graveyard. The mosque was completed in 1426, and was commissioned by Sultan Murad II who died in 1451. He was the sixth Ottoman sultan, and the last to rule the empire from Bursa. (His son, Mehmet II (the Conqueror) switched the capital to Istanbul after the conquest of Byzantium). The mosque, with alternating layers of stone and brick, is built in an inverse T plan with two large domes (one in the entrance portico) and two smaller side domes. Flanking the mosque are two slender brick minarets, one original and one rebuilt after the 1855 earthquake. The entry portico is large, the dome supported by an arcade decorated with geometric tiles. Inside the mosque, the lower walls are decorated in hexagonal dark blue and turquoise tiles. The windows and lower dome are embellished with delicate bands in a floral motif. The mihrab (a niche pointing to Mecca) was rebuilt in rococo style in the 18th century after a fire. The 1855 earthquake damaged much of the Muradiye complex; restorations were completed in the late nineteenth century, as well as a recent restoration in 2015. The former madrassa to the west of the mosque now houses a museum and medical center. The former hamamı (serving the medrassa students), is now a government building. Twelve mausoleums are scattered about in a garden on the south side of the mosque. The largest is that of Sultan Murad II. The square building is constructed of brick and stone, topped with a dome. An elegantly-decorated awning surmounts the arched marble entry. Inside, a vaulted gallery supports the dome, resting on Byzantine columns. Murad II's tomb is surprisingly simple, a pentagonal open sarcophagus resting on a raised platform, reflecting his life as an ascetic and part-time dervish. The other eleven mausoleums scattered in the mosque garden contain family members. The tombs vary in size; some are exquisitely decorated with tiles, painted calligraphy and inlaid woodcarving. The most ornate are the 14th-century tomb of Cem Sultan (the third son of Mehmet the Conqueror) and the 16th-century tombs of Şehzades Mahmud and Ahmed, the sons of Beyazıt II. An interpretive map tells who is who, and some of the signs have English interpretations. Also in the garden is an ablution fountain, sheltered by a graceful kiosk. Muradiye mosque complex was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 2013. It is open daily with no entry fee, although a donation is appreciated. The mosque is active, so may be closed during prayers. As a sign of respect, when visiting, modest clothing should be worn and shoes removed before entering.