by Dennis | August 24, 2015 | Culture and History
One of the joys of living among Turkish people is that their inviting and hospitable nature welcomes us in to many aspects of their culture. As they allow us to take part in their lives and traditions, we gain a greater understanding of their ways, their customs, and... 
by Dennis | June 15, 2015 | Culture and History, Travel Tips and Visiting Info
Mosques (called cami in Turkish) are some of the most prominent and significant buildings in Bursa, and they are a central part of Bursa’s life, culture, and history. Most of them—especially the historical ones—are welcoming to tourists, and visiting a mosque or two... by Dennis | May 6, 2015 | Culture and History, Featured Fotoğrafı
In this Featured Fotoğrafı, Bursa’s whirling dervishes perform in the city’s Karabaş-i Veli Culture Center. Tucked away on a quiet side street in Bursa’s old Ībrahimpaşa neighborhood stands the Karabaş-i Veli Culture Center, one of Bursa’s last remaining... 
by Dennis | April 28, 2015 | Bursa's Neat Places, Culture and History, See, Do, and Play
Just about an hour’s drive east of Bursa’s city center, hugging the shore of a freshwater lake and surrounded by olive tree-blanketed hills, lies the little town of Īznik. At first glance, it seems hard to believe that this traditional Turkish farm town was at one... 
by Dennis | April 13, 2015 | Culture and History, News and Events
This month, the city is celebrating the 689th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Bursa. Each April for the past 11 years, Bursa has celebrated this significant event. Called the Osman Gazi Remembrance and Bursa Conquest Festival, activities include a parade, art... 
by Dennis | April 1, 2015 | Culture and History, News and Events
These days, the whole of Turkey is remembering and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Çanakkale (Gallipoli) Campaign of World War I. In this major battle, the British-led Allied forces spent most of 1915 attempting to gain control of the Dardanelles, the... 
by Dennis | March 6, 2015 | Culture and History, Featured Fotoğrafı
Now that spring is arriving in Bursa, it’s time to start thinking about dusting off the grill. With that idea in mind, I dug up this photo from last fall that I’d like to share as today’s Featured Fotoğrafı. This photo of hard-working yet fun-loving grill masters was... 
by Dennis | February 11, 2015 | Bursa's Neat Places, Culture and History
As I wander through the long winding bazaar in Bursa, Turkey’s centuries-old city center, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the buzzing marketplace, I notice in the corner of my eye a dimly lit corridor. The small sign above the entrance reads, “Çukur Han,... 
by Dennis | December 30, 2014 | Culture and History
As 2014 comes to a close, we can confidently say that it’s been a good year in Bursa. A lot of good things have happened this year that are helping to put Bursa on the map as a must-visit destination in Turkey. For example, the newly reconstructed cable car... 
by Dennis | October 28, 2014 | Culture and History
Karagöz and Hacivat are famous Turkish shadow puppets and, as far as I can tell, the unofficial ambassadors of Bursa. Loved by all, these two entertaining characters are found everywhere in Bursa-in shops, on billboards, in books, on posters, even inlaid in tile...
