Photo gallery of the mausoleum
Green Mausoleum
Green Mausoleum (Yesil Turbe) - Bursa, Turkey
Green Mausoleum (Yesil Turbe) - one of the most recognizable landmarks of Bursa. Here rests Sultan Mehmed I, and nearby are the tombs of several of his children. The building is part of the Green Complex and stands on a hill in the Yesil quarter to the east of Bursa Center.
The mausoleum was erected in 1421 by order of Sultan Murad II in memory of his father. The designer was Haci Ivaz Pasha, the architect of the Green Mosque. After the strong earthquake of 1855 and subsequent tremors the building was restored, while its early 15th-century appearance was preserved very close to the original.
The plan is octagonal with a high plinth, and the building is topped by a tall dome under a conical roof. The exterior facades and the interior are covered with green and turquoise tiles, calligraphy and complex geometric ornaments - this is one of the finest examples of early Turkish-Ottoman ceramic art.
For travelers this is a clear example of the development of Ottoman architecture and decorative traditions. The atmosphere of the tomb is calm; during a visit it is advisable to keep quiet and follow a modest dress code.
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Green Mausoleum (Yesil Turbe) - one of the most recognizable landmarks of Bursa. Here rests Sultan Mehmed I, and nearby are the tombs of several of his children. The building is part of the Green Complex and stands on a hill in the Yesil quarter to the east of Bursa Center.
The mausoleum was erected in 1421 by order of Sultan Murad II in memory of his father. The designer was Haci Ivaz Pasha, the architect of the Green Mosque. After the strong earthquake of 1855 and subsequent tremors the building was restored, while its early 15th-century appearance was preserved very close to the original.
The plan is octagonal with a high plinth, and the building is topped by a tall dome under a conical roof. The exterior facades and the interior are covered with green and turquoise tiles, calligraphy and complex geometric ornaments - this is one of the finest examples of early Turkish-Ottoman ceramic art.
For travelers this is a clear example of the development of Ottoman architecture and decorative traditions. The atmosphere of the tomb is calm; during a visit it is advisable to keep quiet and follow a modest dress code.
Appreciate the craftsmanship of Ottoman ceramics and the decoration of the sarcophagi.
Ceramic decoration and the sarcophagus of Sultan Mehmed I
Inside the central sarcophagus of Mehmed I is faced with glazed tiles featuring calligraphic bands, and around it stand the sarcophagi of his sons and daughters. The mihrab is finished with faience with fine detailing, and the massive entrance door is decorated with wood carving showing geometric stars and polygons.
The same compositions of stars and polygons appear on the doors of the Green Mosque and at Zagnos Pasha in Balikesir, where Ottoman craftsmen developed motifs from Seljuk decoration. In the Green Mausoleum it is convenient to study the techniques and finishing details up close and to compare styles within a single complex.
Nearby are the Green Mosque and the Yesil madrasa, where the museum of Turkish-Islamic art operates; the Emir Sultan complex is also within walking distance. On site you can photograph the tiled facades and calmly inspect the tomb hall.
Getting there is simple: from Bursa Center city buses run to the Yesil district, and from the stops it is a 5-10 minute walk; by taxi from the center the trip takes about 10-15 minutes.
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