Emir Sultan Mosque and Social Complex: Spiritual Heart of Bursa and Visit Guide

The History of His Excellency Emir Sultan and the Social Complex

Seyyid Şemseddin Mehmed Bukhari (Emir Sultan), who is considered the spiritual conqueror of Bursa, set out from Bukhara in the late 14th century as a sayyid, a descendant of our Prophet (pbuh), and settled in Bursa with the divine sign he saw in his dream. Emir Sultan, who married Hundi Fatma Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid Khan, prayed and spiritually guided the Ottoman armies and became a great pole who surrounded the sultans with his sword.

After his death, a tomb and a mosque were built by Hundi Hatun at the beginning of the 15th century. The building, which was damaged by earthquakes over time, was built by Sultan III in 1804. It was completely renovated by Selim II in the Ottoman Baroque architectural style. Today, Emir Sultan Complex is one of the three most visited spiritual attraction centers of Turkey, together with Eyüp Sultan Tomb in Istanbul and Mevlana Dervish Lodge in Konya.

Baroque Architecture, Courtyard with Fountain and Tomb

The social complex was built among centuries-old plane, cypress and linden trees on a high hill on the eastern slope of Bursa.

• Wide Porched Courtyard: The large courtyard of the mosque, surrounded by wooden porticoes, is one of the most spacious examples of the Ottoman Baroque style. A marble fountain with a fountain rises in the middle of the peaceful open-air courtyard that welcomes visitors.
• Emir Sultan Tomb: Located right next to the mosque, the tomb contains the sarcophagi of His Excellency Emir Sultan, his wife Hundi Sultan, his sons and daughters. It is covered with gold-leafed wooden cages and embroidered pushchairs.
• Traditional Kandil and Prayer Center: With a tradition that has been going on for centuries, newborn babies, circumcised children and married couples come to the Emir Sultan Tomb to make their first prayers.

Where and How to Get to Emir Sultan Complex?

The social complex is located on the historical hill of the same name in Emir Sultan District of Yıldırım district.

• By Public Transportation: Yellow public buses numbered 1/E, 6/E, 36/A and 3/i departing from Statue Square or Şehreküstü and go directly to the social complex square.
• By walking: You can reach the Green Mosque and Green Tomb with a pleasant walk of only 8-10 minutes in the east direction via Emir Sultan Street, which is adorned with historical cypress trees.
• Parking: There is a municipal multi-storey and open parking lot right below the complex.

Local Tips for Visitors

• Traditional Emir Sultan Turkish Delight: Don't forget to taste the fresh Emir Sultan Turkish delight and halva prepared with a centuries-old recipe from the historical shops at the exit of the mosque.
• Natural Night and Friday Density: Tens of thousands of visitors flock especially on Fridays and Kandil nights; You can choose weekday morning hours for a quiet visit and prayer.
• Emir Sultan Cemetery: In the historical graveyard lying at the foot of the tomb, the turbaned historical tombstones of Ottoman period calligraphers, viziers and religious scholars are like an open-air museum.