Bursa | The City of History, Nature and the Future

Located in northwestern Türkiye, on the southern edge of the Marmara Region, Bursa is a major metropolitan city distinguished by its historical heritage, cultural richness, natural assets and strong economic structure. With a population of approximately 3.3 million and a surface area exceeding 10,886 km², Bursa is one of Türkiye’s largest and most dynamic cities. Its coastline along the Sea of Marmara, fertile plains, lakes and mountains provide a strong foundation for both high quality of life and sustainable development.

A Capital at the Heart of History

The settlement history of Bursa dates back nearly 8,500 years. Known as Prusa in antiquity, the city passed through Bithynian, Roman and Byzantine periods before becoming the first capital of the Ottoman Empire in 1326. With this historical role, Bursa emerged as one of the most important centers of early Ottoman urban planning and architecture.

Landmarks such as the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), the Green Complex (Yeşil Külliye), historic inns and bazaars transform Bursa into a living open-air museum. During the Ottoman era, the city was also a hub of silk production and trade, serving as a major economic and cultural bridge between East and West.

Natural Wealth and Four-Season Living

Bursa is one of the rare cities described as “Four-Season Bursa.” The city’s symbol, Mount Uludağ, rising over 2,500 meters, is Türkiye’s leading center for winter tourism and nature sports. Lake İznik, Lake Uluabat, vast forests, waterfalls and thermal springs further strengthen Bursa’s position in eco-tourism and health tourism.

With its famous thermal districts such as Kükürtlü and Oylat, Bursa has been known for centuries as a city of healing and relaxation.

Culture, Gastronomy and Urban Identity

Bursa possesses a rich cultural heritage including the Karagöz and Hacivat shadow play, the Sword-and-Shield (Kılıç-Kalkan) dance, the Mehter tradition, and fine handicrafts, especially tile art.

In gastronomy, Bursa is internationally recognized for unique flavors such as İskender kebab, candied chestnuts, and Gemlik olives.

With districts like Osmangazi, Nilüfer, Yıldırım, Mudanya, Gemlik, İnegöl and İznik, Bursa offers a multi-centered urban structure where history and contemporary life coexist.

Industry, Economy and Vision for the Future

Since the Republican era, Bursa has become one of Türkiye’s leading industrial and production hubs. It has a strong economic infrastructure particularly in automotive, textile, machinery and agriculture.

Today, Bursa is not only a production city, but also a regional attraction center in terms of sustainable development, green transformation, innovative urbanism and international cooperation.

Bursa brings together the heritage of the past with the vision of the future, blending history with nature, production with quality of life, and local identity with international interaction. With its strategic position between Europe and Anatolia, Bursa stands out as a dynamic and forward-looking city.