Open Travel Guide
History of Bursa

Bursa History & Heritage Guide 2026

A historical companion to Bursa — what happened, where to stand, and what survives.

Bursa is Turkey's fourth-largest city and the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, nestled at the foot of Uludağ mountain on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara. Known as 'Yeşil Bursa' (Green Bursa) for its abundant parks and forests, the city blends extraordinary Ottoman heritage with modern industry, thermal spas, alpine skiing, and the birthplace of İskender kebap.