Grand mosque

The Great Mosque in the Turkish city of Bursa, also known as the Ulu-Jami Mosque, is an active Muslim temple and an important architectural monument, whose history dates back more than 600 years.

The Grand Mosque is the largest Muslim temple in Bursa and its architectural style is oriented towards early Ottoman architecture. At the end of the 14th century, Sultan Bayezid I ordered the construction of a new mosque in Bursa, and the architect Ali Nejar took over. The Turkish sultans were famous for their harsh temper, and therefore the architect tried very hard to please his employer, as a result of which the Ulu-Jami Mosque was built in just four years (1396-1400).

To get an idea of the scale of this structure, suffice it to say that the roof includes 20 domes arranged five in four rows. There are two minarets on both sides of Ulu-Jami. Inside the temple itself is a fountain designed to wash believers before performing prayer. Above the fountain is a large window in the roof of the dome - in the daytime it is intended for natural lighting of the temple.