Could this be a silk worm? Wonderful calligraphy in Ulu Cami |
Despite having an introduction to Turkey’s popular coastal areas, the Motleys decided a tour (15 days with Intrepid Travel) to take in the “real” country was in order. So it was we found ourselves thrust into a bustling Istanbul with only a day for a quick overview. Happily we had planned time after our tour to do justice to this intriguing city. More on that later then…
Bursa Market full of interesting goodies |
Having left
a frenetic, tourist-drenched Istanbul by ferry, we sped easily across Marmaris
Sea’s choppy waters to arrive at a small transport hub, Yalova, on Turkey’s Asian shores. Here we managed to immediately ruffle
feathers by carrying lots of luggage onto a local bus - at least it was a
quick, rather quiet trip into Bursa.
Bursa has
existed since 183 BC. With natural hot
springs it attracted many settlers including Romans, Byzantines and later
Ottomans. We however, came to see
Ottoman masterpieces and a remarkable caravanserai, the Koza (or cocoon) Han,
that once marked the end of the Silk Road. Luckily, you can still buy silk....
Shopping in the Koza Han since 1491 |
Bursa was
the first capital city of the Ottomans (1326) and it remained the heartland of an
emerging Turkish empire. Six Sultans
chose to be buried in the peaceful surrounds of this city. It is therefore, a city of pilgrimage and we
were fortunate to attend a sema (whirling ceremony) by a Sufi Order at their
lodge one evening.
Whirling Dervishes |
Hot mineral
rich springs means hamams, and the Cap’n reported back that the Eski Kaplica, dating
from Roman times, was well worth the soak.
Ulu Cami (1396) |
Fact File: Tarzan. It seems that Hollywood hero, Tarzan, had a
Turkish double. Amongst its excellent
ethnographic displays, the Bursa City Museum features details of notable
citizens. Tarzan was just one. I’m sure he will feature in
a movie remake…one day.
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