The Slope of Bursa from Muradiye to Cumalıkızık
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Bursa was built not on the plain but on the foot of Uludağ, and this route follows that slope from west to east. You begin in the quiet garden holding twelve dynastic tombs, move to a mosque courtyard overlooking the plain, then to a village of seven hundred years, and finally ride the cable car to two thousand metres. Four stops, but the change in altitude reaches two thousand metres; looking down on the same city at the end is the route's real reward.
Route Stops
Muradiye Complex.
The complex of Murad II and the twelve tombs in its garden, each belonging to a different member of the dynasty, their tiles showing in sequence how the style changed across a century. Shaded with cypress, and quiet.
Emir Sultan Mosque.
East, to the mosque set in a cypress ringed cemetery. The present building dates from the early 19th century, so it is late in style. From the courtyard the plain and Uludağ appear together; see the direction of the route from here.
From the Ottoman Empire to Today: The Historical Texture of Cumalıkızık
An Ottoman village of seven hundred years at the mountain's foot. Cobbled lanes and timber houses with overhanging bays; not a museum village but still lived in. This is also the right hour of the day for breakfast.
Cumalıkızık Village, located in the Yıldırım district of Bursa, is one of the rare settlements that has survived intact from the early periods of the Ottoman Empire to the present day. With a 700-year history, this village preserves its historical and cultural heritage and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, attracting great interest from both domestic and foreign tourists.
With its narrow stone streets, bay-windowed Ottoman houses, historical fountains, and village cafes, Cumalıkızık resembles an open-air museum and is known as one of the oldest Ottoman villages in Bursa. A large portion of the houses is built with a mix of adobe, wood, and stone, reflecting the finest examples of Ottoman civil architecture. The colorfully painted houses offer captivating frames for photography enthusiasts.
There are many places to visit and explore in Cumalıkızık:
- Cumalıkızık Ethnography Museum: Here, items, clothing, and examples of handicrafts that tell the history and cultural heritage of the village are exhibited.
- Cin Aralığı: According to legend, this is a very narrow and mysterious passage used by Ottoman soldiers to escape from the enemy.
- Village Market: In this market, where local products are sold, you can find organic delights such as village bread, jams, natural honey, tarhana, and gözleme.
Cumalıkızık has also hosted many films and series, such as Kınalı Kar, so it may seem familiar from the screens!
Uludağ.
By cable car to two thousand metres. The plain opens out below during the thirty minute ride. There are walking trails at Sarıalan; seeing from above the slope you have walked all morning closes the day.
