Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) (Bursa) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

Ulu Cami, also known as the Grand Mosque, is a prominent historical and religious monument in Bursa, Turkey. It boasts significant historical importance as it was constructed between 1396 and 1400 during the early Ottoman Empire under the commission of Sultan Bayezid I. It's an exceptional example of early Ottoman architecture and a symbol of the empire's rising power in the region. It also marks the transition in Ottoman mosque design, incorporating a large, open interior space as opposed to multiple smaller domes.

The Ulu Cami features 20 domes arranged in four rows of five that are supported by 12 columns, creating a large, almost square, open prayer hall. It includes two minarets, a large fountain (?ad?rvan) inside the mosque where worshipers perform ritual ablutions, and intricately carved wooden elements. The walls are adorned with Islamic calligraphy, including impressive works by some of the most prominent calligraphers of its time. The mosque's design influenced subsequent Ottoman architecture and is a staple of classical Ottoman mosque design.