Bursa Tophane Park: Clock Tower, Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi Tombs

History of Tophane Hill and the Birth of the Ottoman Empire

Tophane Park, located on the walls of the old Hisar district of Bursa, dates back to B.C. It is the acropolis of the ancient city of Prusa, founded in the 2nd century during the Kingdom of Bithynia. With the conquest of Bursa by Orhan Gazi in 1326, this place became the first administrative center of the Ottoman civilization and the spiritual cradle of the journey from principality to empire.

During the siege of Bursa, Osman Gazi showed his son Orhan Gazi the dome of the Byzantine Saint Elie Monastery on the hill and said his famous will: 'Son! When I die, you should bury me under this Gümüşlü Tomb.' After the conquest of 1326, Osman Gazi's body was brought from Söğüt and buried here, and then Orhan Gazi was buried in the tomb built right next to it.

Must-See Historical Buildings and Monuments

1. Osman Gazi Tomb (Gümüşlü Tomb)

Built on the foundations of the old Byzantine Monastery chapel, the tomb was damaged in the great Bursa earthquake of 1855 and was rebuilt with classical Ottoman architecture in 1863 during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz. In the tomb, there is the monumental wooden sarcophagus of Osman Gazi inlaid with mother-of-pearl, as well as the tombs of his son Alaeddin Bey and members of the close dynasty. Today, the Respect Guard with traditional alpine costumes, held every hour, is one of the moments that attract the most attention from local and foreign tourists.

2. Orhan Gazi Tomb

The tomb of Sultan Orhan Gazi, the conqueror of Bursa, is located right across from the Osman Gazi Tomb. The building, built on the floor mosaics of an old Byzantine church, has a square plan and a dome. Inside the tomb are the sarcophagi of Orhan Gazi, his wife Nilüfer Hatun, Şehzade Kasım and Yıldırım Bayezid's son Musa Çelebi.

3. Historical Tophane Clock Tower

The tower, which was first built during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz but was destroyed, was built in its current form by Sultan Abdulaziz II in 1905. It was built by Bursa Governor Reşit Mümtaz Pasha in memory of the 29th anniversary of Abdulhamid's accession to the throne. The 6-storey and 33-meter-high cut stone tower carries clock dials with Roman numerals on all four sides. Today, the tower is still the center where traditional iftar ball shootings are coordinated during Ramadan.

4. Observation Terrace and Bursa Panorama

Observation terrace at the edge of the walls of Tophane Park; It offers the opportunity to see the 20 domes of the Ulu Mosque, the historical inns area, the Green Tomb and the snowy Uludağ range rising in the background in a single panorama.

Where and How to Get to Tophane Park?

Tophane Park is located in the Hisar district of Osmangazi district, on the hill just above the Çakırhamam junction.

• By walking: From the Statue or Ulu Mosque, you can walk west to Çakırhamam and climb the Tophane Hill next to the Sultanate Gate or the historical stairs (about 8 minutes).
• Via Tophane Slope Elevator: Visitors coming from Şehreküstü direction can go directly to the observation deck without getting tired, by using the free public elevator at the bottom of the walls.
• Parking: Since Tophane has narrow streets within the city walls, it is recommended that you leave your car in Zafer Plaza or Çakırhamam parking garages and walk.

Special Recommendations of Our Bursa Editor

• Alp Changing of the Guard Ceremony: Be sure to immortalize the changing of the guard, which takes place in front of the Osman Gazi Tomb at the beginning of the hour, with video and photographs.
• Sunset and Evening Tea: It is priceless to watch the city lights come on in the afternoon while drinking strong tea in the tea garden under the historical plane tree in the park.
• Walking Along the Walls: After visiting the tombs, go to the historical streets at the back and walk towards Sümbüllü Bahçe Mansion and Saltanat Kapısı.