Ulu Jami | Bursa Grand Mosque

The Ulu Camii Mosque in Bursa (Ulu Camii in Turkish) or the Grand Mosque of Bursa, also known as the Great Mosque, was constructed in the year 1396 AD in the city of Bursa by the order of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I. Its construction was completed in 1399. This mosque is characterized by its architectural style inspired by Seljuk architecture and its large area, estimated at five thousand square meters, making it the largest mosque in Bursa.

Interior of the Grand Mosque of Bursa:

The Ulu Camii Mosque shines with its intricate inscriptions adorning its walls. It is crowned by twenty domes covering its roof, along with two soaring minarets. Inside, it houses the cover of the Holy Kaaba, brought from Mecca, and a wooden pulpit intricately engraved with details about the solar system, which was ahead of its time, showcasing the power and grandeur of Islamic civilization. The walls of the mosque are over two meters thick to shield it from the cold.

The Story of the Twenty Domes in the Grand Mosque of Bursa:

The decision to have twenty domes in Ulu Camii Mosque was not accidental or merely a result of architectural design. It was a consequence of an important historical event that occurred during the reign of Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid I, also known as Bayezid the Thunderbolt. In the year 1396, the king of Hungary attacked an Ottoman fortress called Nikopolis, which was under Ottoman control. Sultan Bayezid vowed to build twenty mosques if Allah granted him victory. After the Ottoman triumph in that battle, Sultan Bayezid consulted with his scholars and advisors, and they suggested that instead of constructing twenty separate mosques, it would be better to build one mosque with twenty domes, capable of accommodating a large number of worshippers. Thus, the Sultan heeded their advice and ordered the construction of this masterpiece, known as Ulu Camii or the Grand Mosque of Bursa.

Ulu Camii - The First Mosque in the Ottoman Era:

During its time, the Grand Mosque of Bursa held great significance in the Ottoman Empire and the Islamic world in general. It represents the beginning of the Ottoman architectural style and art, especially as it was the first mosque built in Bursa, which was one of the first cities conquered by the Ottomans. It was followed by the Green Mosque during the reign of Sultan Mehmed I.

Nearby Places to the Grand Mosque of Bursa:

The Grand Mosque of Bursa is located in the center of the city and is surrounded by several important tourist sites that are highly recommended to visit, such as the Covered Market (the Covered Bazaar), Zafer Plaza Shopping Mall, the Silk Market in Bursa, and many other significant places that will undoubtedly captivate you.

Location of the Grand Mosque of Bursa:

Address: Nalbantoğlu, Ulucami Cd. No:2, 16010 Osmangazi/Bursa, Turkey.