Green Mosque and Green Tomb: The Peak of Tiles, Çelebi Mehmed and Visiting Guide

The History and Resurrection Manifesto of the Green Complex

The 5th sultan Çelebi Mehmed, who put an end to the 11-year Interregnum that the Ottoman Empire entered after the 1402 Ankara War and brought the state to the brink of collapse, literally rebuilt the state from its ashes. The Green Mosque and Tomb, which was ordered to the Architect Hacı İvaz Pasha as a declaration to the world of this great resurrection, was completed between 1419-1424.

Green Social Complex; It is a flawless masterpiece of city planning consisting of a mosque, tomb, madrasah (now the Turkish Islamic Arts Museum), soup kitchen and bath. Nakkaş Ali bin İlyas Ali and ceramic masters from Tabriz (Ustad-ı Kâşiteraş), who decorated the building, brought the art of tiles with unique color and composition to the top with this temple.

Architectural Masterpieces: Tile Art and Stone Carving

1. The Unique Architecture of the Green Mosque and the Hünkar Mahfili

The Green Mosque is the most noble example of the Reverse T Plan or Zaviye Mosque type in Ottoman architecture. The pure Marmara marble workmanship on the exterior, the muqarnas cornices on the windows and the relief Quran verses reflect a unique stone elegance.

• Tiled Sultan's Mahfil: The mahfil where the sultan prays on the upper floor of the mosque is covered with pure gold gilded and embossed turquoise tiles from ceiling to walls.
• Inner Fountain and Marble Pool: The inner pool with a fountain carved from a single piece of marble under the main dome adds the melody of water to the otherworldly silence inside the mosque.
• Wooden Door Wings:The double-winged walnut door at the entrance contains the rarest wood carving of the kundekari art.

2. Green Tomb: Bursa's Deep Blue Peak

Rising on the hill just opposite the mosque, the Green Tomb is like a crown that can be seen from all over Bursa with its octagonal prism body and dome. The exterior of the tomb is covered with eye-catching turquoise-turquoise tiles that were renewed after the 1855 earthquake.

When you step into the tomb, a monumental atmosphere surrounded by original underglaze tiles of the 15th century welcomes you. Çelebi Mehmed's magnificent tiled sarcophagus is decorated with yellow, dark blue and white flower motifs and is arguably the richest example of Ottoman sarcophagus art. Its mihrab is a marvel of art with its rich muqarnas and tile reliefs.

Where and How to Get to the Green Social Complex?

The Social Complex is located within the borders of Yıldırım's Green District, one of the central districts of Bursa.

• By walking: You can reach the social complex by crossing the Setbaşı Bridge from the city center Sculpture Square and walking along Yeşil Street for just 10-12 minutes.
• By Public Transportation: You can take buses numbered 3/i, 35/C, 36/A and 99 or Green minibuses from Heykel or Şehreküstü towards Yıldırım and get off directly at the social complex square.
• Parking: There are municipal paid open parking areas around the Green Square.

Local Tips for Visitors

• Sunlight and Colors: It is recommended that you visit the tomb at noon (between 11:00 - 14:00) to see the rich tones of the tiles and the glitter of gold gilding.
• Turkish Islamic Arts Museum: Be sure to visit the Green Madrasa, built in 1424, right below the mosque; Inside, handwritten Qurans, edicts and swords from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods are exhibited.
• Çınaraltı Cafes: You can sit under the historical plane trees in the Social Complex square, watch the Bursa Plain while drinking tea, and buy the famous souvenir Iznik tiles.