Week 2: The transition to Ottoman Istanbul

On Sunday we took an excursion to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital on the Asia side of Turkey.  A packed day of travel, we visited several mosques and shrines that celebrated the leadership of the first Ottoman leaders.  Frequently, mosques have a close relationship with market places and in this case, the silk bazaar.  There has been a silk trade in Bursa for almost 1000 years.

A ferry ride across the Sea of Marmara

Pictures from the silk bazaar at Bursa

A Koran at the Islamic Museum (note the size of the Koran by comparing it to the woman behind the exhibit

The Green Mosque

Inside the Green Mosque...waiting out the rainstorm.  Notice the shoe rack behind me that holds shoes for worshippers and visitors.

An Ottoman sultan shrine, including shrines for relatives

Our group outside the Sultan's shrine

A Janissary (infantry soldier).  He didn't blink an eye when I reached for the knife in his belt.