Emir Sultan Mosque stands in the Yıldırım district of Bursa, on the foothills of Uludağ. It is one of the most sacred mosques in the city and holds the tomb of Emir Sultan, a revered Sufi saint, together with his family. Lush gardens and old trees surround the complex. Inside, the decoration is simple: a red carpet, a subdued marble mihrab, painted Baroque accents and fine calligraphy. The hill setting also gives a good view over Bursa.
Who Emir Sultan was
Emir Sultan was a Sufi saint and the son-in-law of Sultan Bayezid I. He is remembered as a major figure in Islamic thought and mysticism.
The mosque was built in his memory, and his tomb remains inside. The complex also holds the tombs of his family.
The mosque has been altered over the centuries. It was reconstructed in the 18th century in the Ottoman rococo style.
Architecture and decoration
The mosque is built of cut stone and brick and has two slender minarets. It belongs to the group of angled mosques that were common in the early Ottoman era.
The mihrab and minbar are Baroque work from the 18th century. The mihrab was later faced with marble, and painted accents appear across the interior.
Compared with Bursa's Green Mosque, the decoration here is plainer, with fewer colours and more attention to pattern and calligraphy. Much of the wood on the exterior gives the building a softer, more curved look.
The red carpet in the prayer hall is the strongest colour inside, and it sits well against the calligraphy and the stone.
The grounds and practical details
Centuries-old cypress trees frame the approach from the west, and they line up with the minarets. The gardens around the mosque make the place feel quiet even when the city is busy below.
The Emir Sultan Caravanserai is near the mosque, so it can be combined with a walk through the area.
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
FAQ
Is Emir Sultan Mosque open every day?
Yes. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Where is Emir Sultan Mosque?
It is in the Yıldırım district of Bursa, in the east of the city, on the foothills of Uludağ.
Is Emir Sultan Mosque wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, the restroom and the parking lot are all wheelchair accessible.
Is Emir Sultan buried at the mosque?
Yes. His tomb remains in the mosque complex, together with the tombs of his family.
