Muradiye Külliyesi is the social and religious complex commissioned by Sultan Murat II (1403-1451). Built in the early 1420s, Muradiye is on Bursa’s UNESCO World Heritage site inscription as one of the historically important locations in the city. The külliye consists of a mosque, a school, a soup kitchen, a cemetery, a public bath, multiple fountains, and more than a dozen ornate mausoleums. During its heyday, the complex served as the social, religious, and educational center for the Muradiye neighborhood.

I’ve been seeing billboards all over town lately heralding the completion of reconstruction at Muradiye. The grounds had been mostly off-limits for a couple of years as the city worked to restore the facilities. One day as I was passing through the neighborhood, I stopped by to take a look at the finished work. I was impressed by the intricately detailed restoration, but I unfortunately was without my camera and I knew that I needed to return soon to take some photos.

That’s when I contacted Özgür Altınkaynak and invited him to join me for a photo walk through Muradiye. Özgür’s photographic work has impressed me in the past, and his skills in photography far outshine mine. Özgür graciously accepted my invitation. So on a cold, overcast March afternoon, we stormed the külliye armed with our digital cameras and artistic eyes. Here is Muradiye from Two Perspectives: Özgür’s and mine.

Özgür Altınkaynak’s photos have been published here with permission. Visit ozguraltinkaynak.com.