by Emily | March 11, 2021 | Bursa's Neat Places, Culture and History, Eat, Shop, and Stay, Karacabey, See, Do, and Play, Travel Tips and Visiting Info
One of the most unique historical features of Turkey is its Hans (inns) or Keravansarays (caravan palaces). During the days of the ancient silk road, these hospitality venues were sometimes opulent locations frequented by merchants–traveling in groups for...
by Dennis | August 25, 2016 | Culture and History, Thoughts and Musings
Even if you’ve never visited Turkey, you’ve no doubt heard about Turkish bazaars. Loud, crowded, and odoriferous, bazaars (“pazar” in Turkish) have been the mainstay of neighborhood commerce in Turkey for centuries. As such, visiting a Turkish...
by Dennis | July 26, 2016 | Culture and History
A guest post by Jesse S. It seems like everywhere I go in Bursa I see three things: football on the television, pairs of people of all ages fast and furiously playing tavla (backgammon), and groups of older men peacefully enjoying okey (pronounced “okay,” a game...
by Dennis | July 15, 2016 | Culture and History, Winter
A guest post by Sharon Rott Sharon Rott came to Bursa as a teacher. But in her free time, she enjoys new adventures and cultural experiences. She has contributed to The Best of Bursa before. In this piece, Sharon shares about her experience at a traditional camel...
by Dennis | June 1, 2016 | Bursa's Delightful People, Culture and History
Tucked away in his Karagöz Antiques souvenir shop in Bursa’s Eski Aynalı Çarşı, Mr. Şinasi Çelikkol labors away at his two loves: purveying Turkish antiques and promoting traditional Ottoman shadow puppetry. Şinasi Bey’s antique shop is an overstuffed little room in...
by Dennis | April 13, 2016 | Featured Fotoğrafı, News and Events, Spring
We had some high hopes for the April 9-10 weekend. This month, Bursa is celebrating the 690th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest. We enjoyed these celebrations last year, and we were looking forward to watching the festivities again this year. Regrettably, the...
by Dennis | January 14, 2016 | Bursa's Neat Places, Culture and History
A guest post by Kaela La Farge The narrow street seemed to twist and turn in the darkness around dimly lit apartment buildings. The steep incline wrapped up the hillside in Bursa’s old Ībrahimpaşa neighborhood. Glowing shop lights illuminated the heat we exhaled with...
by Dennis | October 15, 2015 | Bursa's Neat Places, Osmangazi, See, Do, and Play
Prominently situated next to Çekirge square stands the historic, spring-fed Eski Kaplıca Hamamı (Old Hot Spring Bathhouse), the largest, oldest, and most famous Turkish bath in Bursa. Though I’ve photographed this impressive building from the outside in the past, a...
by Dennis | September 21, 2015 | Culture and History
“I have 40 bulls here this year,” Sait told me as he motioned toward the yellow tent. Inside the tent, two rows of young bulls were lined up on either side while farmhands attended to their needs. “I’ve been coming here every year for 20 years, and I’ve sold out every...
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...
