Museums in Bursa
If you’re a person who is into history, visiting museums in Bursa will be a fulfilling experience for you. I will focus on the museums are related to the Bursa’s history. Honestly, I picked the most interesting ones from a local’s perspective. You can look over them and decide which ones are suitable for you. Let me introduce you my favorite museums as a local.
1- Bursa Archaeology Museum
Bursa Archaelogy Museum is one of the oldest “imperial museum” as a branch of Müze-i Hümayun, former name, Istanbul Archaeology Museum, in Istanbul in 1904. The whole collection of architectural artifacts were kept firstly in Bursa Boys’ Lycea and after that in Green Madrasa. Now, Bursa Archaeology Museum is located in Kültür Park and opened for visitors in 1972.
From prehistoric times to East Roman Empire time, there is a glorious cultural heritage is lying inside and outside. The museum is divided into sections. While in one hall you will explore fossils remains from Neolithic Age, in the other hall you will see the artifacts founded in Bythnia and Mysia regions through the detailed excavation. There are over 60,000 artifacts such as fossil beds, pottery, bronze statues of Greek and Roman gods, seals, glassware, medical items. You will feel like you travel from one age to another age. As an open air museum, there are historical tombs, structures are made of stones, statues of Zeus and Heracles in the garden.
2- Bursa Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
Bursa Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is located in Green Mosque and Social Complex as I’ve mentioned in the previous post and its former name was Green Madrasa/Sultaniye Madrasa. It was built under the command of Sultan Çelebi Mehmet in 1495 and opened as a museum in 1975.
There are ceramics, woodworks, manuscripts, artifacts of bath culture, dervish lodge and items, brass, guns, armors, ancient coins, pitchers, candlesticks, metal-ware, traditional handicrafts, shields, weapons, traditional shadow play Karagöz and Hacivad puppets from early Turkish and Islamic Empire times between from 13 to 20. century.
It is not full of tiles like we see in Green Mosque and Green Tomb. However, only in the vault over the main gate and the ceiling of one iwan, eyvan and pediments of windows, we can see tile-work. The madrasa consists 13 rooms and a patio. There is also prominent gravestones at the courtyard which makes this museum open-air.
3- Bursa City Museum / Bursa Kent Müzesi
Bursa City Museum was launched in 1926 and served as a courthouse for years. It is located in Heykel and opened as a museum in 2004. You can get very detailed information about Bursa by visiting this structure.
It has three stories and besides there are permanent sections, there are three halls for temporary exhibitions also. You will see sultans’ sculptures who lived in Bursa. It is a brief summary of Bursa as well as you will learn the history of the structures such as, social complex, külliye, baths, mosques, etc.
You will witness how silk production played a major role in economy of Bursa. One hall displays handicrafts, traditional life and cultural characteristics of Bursa. Summarily, you will take a voyage through civilizations from ancient times until today. After you finished your tour here, there is also a coffee shop where you can rest. You can get an information from here.
4- 17th Century Ottoman House Museum
17th Century Ottoman House Museum is a symbol of traditional and typical old wooden Ottoman house from 17th century. It is located very close to Muradiye Social Complex. It has two stories with basement and there is a hall with iwan, eyvan. There are harem, dining room and guest room decorated in Otoman style.
Carpets, sofa, wooden windows, household items, fire place, cabinets are the main characteristics of this house. In the second floor, the ceiling very well ornamented with geometric patterns and there are wooden cabinets covered flower and vegetal designs.
5- Bursa Karagöz Museum
Bursa Karagöz Museum is related with old shadow play culture. Karagöz and Hacivad are the main characters of folkloric Turkish shadow play ages ago. It still keeps its importance throughout years. This custom was significant shadow play during the reign of Ottoman Empire.
Now, functioning as a museum, formerly transformer building, thanks to the Municipality of Bursa in 2007. It is very informative museum about history of folkloric shadow play, collections of puppets and puppet making tools. It can be nice family activity for enjoying your time with your children.
