Green Mosque & Tomb The Green Mosque, situated in Bursa, Turkey, was built between 1415 and 1419 by the skilled architect Hacı Ivaz Pasha, commissioned by the Ottoman ruler Celebi Mehmet. The mosque's interior was artistically adorned by the period craftsmen Haci Ali and Ilyas Ali, while the renowned artisan Mehmet Mecnun contributed exquisite tile work. In addition to the mosque, the complex includes a mausoleum, a madrasah, and traditional Turkish Baths. The mihrab of the Green Mosque stands out as a remarkable piece of tile artistry. Decorated with bluish-green ceramics and turquoise embellishments, the mihrab is the inspiration behind the mosque’s name. The mosque is also celebrated for its tile mosaics, which ornament the muezzin's platform and the Sultan's private seating area. The Green Mosque was uniquely designed in a reverse T-shaped layout, and its exterior is crafted from fine marble. Four ornately designed windows grace the structure, each featuring two mihrabs and four niches enclosed by railings. Around the center of each window, partially inscribed texts can be found. The mosque's distinctive design and detailed stone carvings make it one of the most visually stunning religious buildings in Bursa. The impressive stalactite-style entrance of the Green Mosque took nearly three years to construct and stands as a grand architectural element. An extensive 2–3 meter long inscription on the gateway provides valuable insight into the mosque’s building process. Inside the entrance hall, two ancient Byzantine columns are positioned. This vestibule leads to side chambers on both the eastern and western sides, each topped with groined vaulted ceilings and featuring narrow doorways that connect to the central hall. The true highlight of the mosque is the mihrab decorated with tiles, showcasing detailed geometric motifs. Additionally, the mosque includes expertly designed iron elements such as doors, window grilles, and built-in cabinets. Since the Green Mosque was never fully completed, historians suggest it may have temporarily served as a meeting space for officials—possibly due to the Sultan’s unexpected death or the shifting political power toward Istanbul during that era. Green Tomb The Green Tomb, located in Bursa, was commissioned in 1421 by Sultan Çelebi Mehmet and sits above the Green Mosque. The structure was designed by the accomplished architect Haci Ivaz Pasha and is regarded as an outstanding example of Ottoman architectural style. Recognized as one of the most iconic mausoleums in Bursa, the Green Tomb stands out for its vibrant green tilework. Its eight-sided layout encloses a burial chamber, crowned by a Seljuk-inspired dome situated on the lowest level. Each of the tomb’s eight sections features striking windows adorned with Quranic verses and accounts of Prophet Mohammad’s life, set within pediments made from bullet-shaped ceramic tiles, creating a heavenly impression above. The mihrab decorated with tiles inside the tomb is absolutely captivating and is considered a true work of art. Within the eight-sided structure, multiple sarcophagi belong to Çelebi Sultan Mehmet and his children, both sons and daughters. The interior of the Green Tomb is further enriched with verses of poetry written on tiles in white, blue, yellow, and navy colors, enhancing its overall splendor. For any questions or further information about the Green Mosque & Tomb, feel free to reach out to us via email at [email protected] or simply contact us on WhatsApp. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.