Ulu Mosque
Mosques of Turkey - Ulu Mosque / Bursa
Ulu Cami, the Great Mosque, was built between 1396 and 1400 by sultan Yildirim Bayezit after the Nicopolis victory (Nigbolu). The mosque, which was burnt down by Tamerlane in 1402 and damaged by fires and by the earthquake in 1855, was restored a couple of times. It is composed of a large central hall measuring 63m / 207 ft by 50m / 164ft. The characteristic of this mosque is that it has no central dome but 20 equally-sized domes instead, that are supported by 30 pillars. 18 of the domes were rebuilt in 1855 after collapsing in the earthquake. A 19th century marble ablution fountain (sadirvan) lies in an unusual way within the mosque under the highest dome. 19th century colossal calligraphic inscriptions on the walls and pillars presenting the ninety names of Allah in divani and kufi script, and a 15th century finely carved walnut mimber adorn the mosque.
