Koza Han Silk Market
Koza Han Silk Market in Bursa, Turkey
Koza Han is located in the center of Bursa, in the Osmangazi district, next to the Great Mosque Ulu Cami and the historic bazaar. It is an Ottoman caravanserai from the late 15th century, built by order of Sultan Bayezid II as part of the city's commercial infrastructure. The name "koza" means "cocoon" and recalls Bursa's role in the trade of silk and silkworm cocoons.
The building has preserved the layout characteristic of Ottoman hans: two-story galleries with arches surround a rectangular inner courtyard. In the center of the courtyard there is a small mosque raised above ground level, and nearby there is a fountain for ablutions. The architecture shows a combination of stone and brick, and the overall appearance of the complex helps imagine what Bursa's trading courtyards looked like during the height of caravan trade.
Today, Koza Han continues to be used as a commercial space. There are shops and stalls selling silk scarves, fabrics, textiles, accessories, and souvenirs. For visitors, it is not only a place for shopping but also an opportunity to see a historic building that remains connected to craftsmanship and trade.
Koza Han is of interest to those who want to better understand Bursa's historic center outside the museum format. It is easy to include in a walk through the old city: here you can explore the courtyard and galleries, compare the old commercial architecture with the surrounding market, and see one of the places connected with the city's silk-making past.
Koza Han Silk Market on the map
Koza Han Silk Market - galleries, courtyard, and commercial life
A walk through the courtyard and galleries reveals the commercial life of the past.
An Ottoman trading courtyard with silk shops and an inner mosque
Inside Koza Han, you can walk along the lower and upper galleries, examine the arcades, old shop entrances, and the central courtyard around which the entire commercial life of the complex was built. On the ground floor there are usually more shops and passageways with constant movement, while from the upper level it is easier to observe the inner space and the building's details.
The main selection here is related to textiles: visitors most often pay attention to silk scarves, shawls, fabrics, home textiles, and items made in line with local trading traditions. Tea houses and small cafés operate in the courtyard and under the arcades, so many people come here not only for shopping but also to make a short stop during a walk through central Bursa.
The place is especially convenient for those interested in the urban environment, not only in individual monuments: here it is clearly visible how a historic building continues to live in the modern city. Nearby are Ulu Cami, the Covered Bazaar of Bursa, and other streets of the old trading quarter, which can easily be explored in a single walk.
The easiest way to get here is on foot from the center of Bursa if you are already in the area of Ulu Cami and the city bazaar. From other parts of the city, visitors usually come by tram, bus, or taxi to the historic center, after which Koza Han is just a few minutes' walk away.
Best tours and travel experiences across the continent
Photos of Koza Han
Guided tours, popular attractions, and top-rated hotels across the continent
