Cumalikizik Village
Cumalikizik Village in Bursa, Turkey - historic rural architecture
Cumalikizik Village is located on the eastern outskirts of Bursa, at the foot of Uludag, in the Yildirim district. It is one of the few places in Turkey where an early Ottoman rural settlement has been preserved not in separate fragments, but as a complete historical environment with streets, residential houses, and public buildings.
Cumalikizik is known as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Bursa and Cumalikizik: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire." This status is linked to the high degree of preservation of its layout and architecture, as well as Bursa's role in the early period of Ottoman history. The village has been under state protection since the late 20th century.
The village's main feature is its narrow cobbled streets and traditional stone-and-wood houses with bay windows, upper residential floors, and inner courtyards. Public elements have also been preserved in the historic setting - a mosque, a hammam, fountains, utility buildings, and old gates. Most of the current residential development dates from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Today, Cumalikizik remains a living village, not just a museum site. People come here to see traditional Ottoman civil architecture, walk through the old lanes, and better imagine what a rural settlement in the surroundings of early Bursa looked like.
Cumalikizik Village on the map
Cumalikizik Village - layout and houses of the 17th-19th centuries
Narrow streets and traditional houses reveal the structure of an old settlement.
Cobbled streets and Ottoman houses at the foot of Uludag
While walking through Cumalikizik, it is worth paying attention not only to the individual buildings, but also to the layout of the village itself. The streets here are narrow, in places sloping upward, and there are often passages, drainage channels, and small squares between the houses. Because of this, the structure of the old settlement, adapted to the hillside and everyday life, is easy to understand.
Many houses have characteristic projecting upper floors, wooden facade elements, and stone lower sections. Some buildings are used as homes, while others serve as small family-run cafes, shops, or places selling local products and handmade items. Visitors usually come here for a leisurely walk, to explore the architecture, and for street photography.
Within the village, you can see a historic mosque, an old hammam, and fountains that complement the overall appearance of the settlement. Nearby are the center of Bursa with its early Ottoman monuments and districts from which it is convenient to continue the trip toward Mount Uludag.
You can reach Cumalikizik from the center of Bursa by taxi, car, or public transport heading toward the Yildirim district. It is best to keep in mind that the streets inside the village are narrow and intended primarily for walking.
Best tours and travel experiences across the continent
Photos of Cumalikizik
Guided tours, popular attractions, and top-rated hotels across the continent
