BURSA               
Prusa was the first name of the city that was established in the 3rd century BC by the Bithynias and Prusias. The certain proofs of the first settling near the city center dates to 2700 - 2500 BC. Traks, Thins and Bitins who escaped from Trakya from the attacks of Ibkit settled down in this region. Therefore, the written sources refer to this region as Bitinya. Our city that was conquered by Turks in 1326 by Orhan Bey and once was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire.There is no building left from Roman and Byzantium periods in Bursa. It has been thought that the city walls covered the old city was first built by the Bithynias and then restorated and used during Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman periods. Bursa is an active commerce city, which showed greater development than the other cities in the first 200 years of the Ottoman Empire. During that period many buildings of architectural value were built, and it became the center of well-known medresses and science.
Külliye ( complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque) of Hüdavendigar that was begun to be built during the period of Murat I, Külliye of Yildirim built by Beyazid I, Yesil (Green) Külliye that was begun to be built in Mehmet I (Çelebi) and completed during the period of Murat II are great complexes that still exist today and which affected the enlargement of Bursa. City's planning gained importance after Turkey became a Republic. Consequently after 1960s population increased rapidly and the city became more urbanized. This caused historical, cultural and natural values to diminish. Its geographical location and high agricultural, commercial and industrial potential provide the city to keep its attractiveness in every period.Settling down on the splendid and fertile lands, the city has entered a rapid urbanisation period, and has faced with the danger of wearing down its historical, cultural and natural values since 1960s.

Bursa Tour Program
Departure by ferryboat to Yalova then drive to Bursa to visit Grand Mosque and the Green Mausoleum famous with their Iznik tiles.Lunch will be provided in a special "Iskender Kebab" Local restaurant.After lunch visit the historical Covered Bazaar and Old Silk market, then climb by cable car to Uludag(Olympos)mountain overlooking Bursa for the great panoramic view of the Green Bursa.Evening back to Istanbul.