Green Mosque, Bursa Mosque

Address: Yeşil Camii (Green Mosque), Yeşil Mah., Bursa, Turkey

Hours: Open daily; may be closed to tourists during prayer times

Admission: Free (mosque; donations accepted)

The Green Mosque (Yeşil Camii) in Bursa is an early 15th-century Ottoman mosque noted for its colored tilework and integration with a funerary complex. Construction dates from the early 1400s and the complex is one of Bursa’s major medieval Ottoman monuments.

The mosque’s interior and external decoration feature green and turquoise tiles that give the building its common name. The mosque is part of a small complex that includes the adjacent Green Tomb, and historically included a madrasa and auxiliary buildings.

Commissioned during the formative period of early Ottoman architecture, the complex reflects Bursa’s role as an early Ottoman capital and contains funerary architecture associated with the ruling dynasty. Restoration and conservation work have been carried out periodically to preserve the tilework and structural fabric.

The mosque sits in Bursa’s historic district, within walking distance of other Ottoman-era sites such as the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii) and the historic bazaar area.

• Visiting tip: Schedules and entrance rules may vary; the complex is in Bursa’s historic centre near other Ottoman monuments, making combined visits practical.
• Distinctive tiles: The mosque is noted for extensive green and turquoise tilework on interior walls and the mihrab, giving the building its common English name.

What to See#

• Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe): Located immediately adjacent to the mosque, the tomb complex contains the mausoleum of Sultan Mehmed I and is finished with the same green and turquoise tilework found in the mosque; the tomb dates to the early 15th century.
• Associated madrasa and complex: The mosque complex historically included a madrasa and auxiliary buildings; these structures form part of the larger complex around the mosque and tomb site in Bursa’s historic district.

The Green (Yeşil) Mosque is in Bursa’s Yeşil district near the city centre. From Bursa’s main intercity bus terminal or the city’s transit network, take a local bus or taxi to the Yeşil area; the mosque and adjacent complex are a short walk from central Bursa. Intercity buses and car routes also connect Bursa to Istanbul and other regional hubs.

• Visit in the early morning or late afternoon when the interior tilework (the feature the mosque is famous for) is best lit and visitor numbers are lower; midday and Friday prayer times are busiest.
• Enter from the courtyard side to access both the mosque and the adjacent Green Tomb (Yeşil Türbe) in one visit-allow time to see the tomb's tile work and inscriptions, which are often overlooked.
• Be prepared to follow mosque etiquette (modest dress and removing shoes inside) and to pause your visit during prayer services; checking opening hours ahead avoids arriving during closures.