Istambul - Bursa - Selçuk
To reach Bursa we crossed the Sea of Marmara on a ferry boat, which was quite similar to the ones going across the Tagus ... and for moments, similarly to what had happened in many other circumstances along this circuit, it was as if I was back home ... It didn't take long though, for me to realise I was, in fact, miles away from home (culturally) when we walked into the Yesil Cami, Bursa (known as the Green Mosque), completed in 1419 after having been commissioned by Sultan Mehmed I Celebi.
It was unfortunately undergoing restauration, though its entrance door, crowned by a half-dome with a cascade of cocárabe that ended in a star, really impressed me, as much as its outside windows and particularly its interior, decorated with blue-green tiles with blue, white and golden-yellow arabesques of tendrils and flowers.
Green Mosque inner mosaic decorations.
We then walked onto the Yesil Türbe (Green Mausoleum) under heavy rain, but which better place to seek protection than by this beautiful domed octogonal building clad externally with green tiles. It was commissioned by the son of Sultan Mehmed I, Murad II, his successor following the death of the sovereign in 1421.
The Royal tomb (Right)), which is surrounded by seven other tombs, is richly decorated with scriptures and flower designs and white and blue glazed tiles. The Mausoleum niches (Left) equally well decorated with tiles.
Our next stop was Selçuk, where we would be spending the next two nights. By the time we reached the hotel, I was physically tired and had developed a back ache, mostly for having been on the bus for such a long time. I hope tomorrow's visit to Ephesus, Priene and Didyma implies some walking, otherwise I'll get as restless as in today's last part of the circuit, not having been able able to find the adequate physical posture.
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