Bursa: A Thorough City Guide
Bursa, Turkey's fourth populated city and the second-largest in the Marmara Region, is a major industrial and tourist spot. Bursa is Turkey's largest automotive manufacturing hub and one of the largest food production centers. 3 million people call Bursa home, with more than 2 million of them living in Osmangazi, Yildirim, and Nilufer's three city urban districts.
The previous capital of the Ottomans, Bursa has played an important role in the history of the region, hence it grabs the attention of tourists and investors with many fields of interest. Today, many property development projects are located in Bursa, making it one of the focal points of the construction and real estate industry in Turkey. As Turkey’s leading property investment technologies and solutions company, Proline offers a range of options in Bursa for investors.
Bursa: The Always-Important City in Turkey
The capital city of the Ottoman Empire before conquering Istanbul, Bursa has a long trail in history. From the Roman empire to the recent years, this city has always contributed to the economy and welfare of the region.
Where is Bursa located?
Bursa is located on the northwest slopes of Mount Uludag in the Marmara region of northwest Turkey (known as the Mysian Olympus in classical antiquity). Bursa has a geostrategic influence in Turkey due to its proximity to the Sea of Marmara, Yalova, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Bilecik, Kutahya, and Balikesir.
History of Bursa in a Nutshell
Bursa is definitely a historical city. After its conquest by the Ottomans in 1326, Bursa (from the Greek "Prusa") became the first major capital city of the early Ottoman Empire. Because of this, the 14th century saw a significant amount of urban growth in the city. The Bayezid Kulliyesi (Bayezid I theological complex) and Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) were constructed in Bursa by Sultan Bayezid I between 1390 and 1395.
Bursa’s attractions are not limited to Ottoman architecture and heritage. During the early 20th century, an early Roman treasure was discovered in the vicinity of Bursa.
Bursa remained the primary supplier of royal silks during the Ottoman era. Besides the city's own silk production, raw silk was imported from Iran and China on a regular basis. For kaftans, pillows, embroidery, and other silk goods, Bursa served as the primary production hub during this time period. The city has long been a magnet for tourists and was a major destination for Balkan refugees fleeing persecution in their homelands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Nearly a half-million Bulgarian Turks were expelled to Turkey during the 1940s and 1990s, making this the most recent wave of Balkan Turk arrivals.
Bursa: an Economic and Industrial Hub
Bursa is Turkey's largest automotive manufacturing hub. The city has been home to factories for automakers like Fiat, Renault, and Karsan, and suppliers of automotive parts. Companies like Bosch, Mako, Valeo, Johnson Controls, and Delphi own production facilities in this city.
Aside from textiles and food, the city's organized industrial zones are home to Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, and other beverage companies, as well as fresh and canned food producers. Bursa also provides a substantial amount of dairy products, processed food, and beverages.
Traditional Bursa has long been regarded as one of the most important Silk Road hubs in the Byzantine and later Ottoman empires. The Bursa International Textiles and Trade Center (Bursa Uluslararasi Tekstil ve Ticaret Merkezi, or BUTTIM) is still a major textile center in Turkey and is located in the city. Agriculture and fertile soil were once important aspects of the city's economy, but these have declined in recent decades due to Bursa's rapid industrial transformation.
What is the Weather Like in Bursa?
Bursa, with a Mediterranean climate, has hot summers that last from June to September. Every year, the cold winter of Bursa causes a pleasant snowfall, making it a skiing center. The temperature can alter between 31.7 to 1.7 degrees over a course of a year.
Life and Investment in Bursa
With more than 3 million people, a rich history, a wide variety of natural attractions, and an endless list of industrial centers, Bursa is a paradise for investors and immigrants who are seeking chances to expand their comfort zone.
As an investor, visitor, or immigrant, you will find Bursa an interesting place to be in. When it comes to chances, Bursa won’t let you down. Let’s see what this popular destination has to offer.
Tourist Attractions in Bursa
Having a rich history and unique natural situation, Bursa has long been a center for tourism and leisure. One of the major Eastern European ski resorts is located in the vicinity of Bursa at Mount Uludag. Bursa is also a global center of physical therapy since it is home to mineral thermal water resources.
Bursa Teleferik (Bursa Telecabine), the world’s longest cable car, with more than 8 kilometers in length, connects the city to the slopes of Mount Uludag. With its spectacular scenic views of the forested mountains, it provides spectacular views all year round.
Bursa’s attractions are not limited to its natural locations. Due to its historical significance and strategic importance, the city has been a center of major developments. Ottoman sultans had a special point of view on the city and built countless captivating complexes in the area. Some of the most popular historical attractions of Bursa are:
- Muradiye Tombs
- Bursa Grand Mosque
- Green Mosque & Tomb
- Koza Hani
- Tombs of Orhan and Osman
You can’t also miss visiting some neighborhoods and locations inside and outside the urban area of Bursa. On the top of your Bursa visiting plan can stand:
- The Village of Golyazi
- Alleys of Cumalikizik
- Iznik
- Soganli Botanik Park
- Bursa Citadel Neighborhood
Bursa is also home to a famous football club. Bursaspor, the title-winner of the Turkish football league in the season 2009-10, is considered one of the top Turkish football clubs alongside Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Trabzonspor. Timsah Park, aka Crocodile Arena, is a one-of-a-kind stadium where Bursaspor hosts its opponents.
Bursa: The Hub for Winter Sports in Eastern Europe
36 kilometers to the south of Bursa, stands Uludag which means “Gigantic Mountain” in Turkish. It is the highest peak in Western Anatolia and has been mentioned in Roman and Turkish mythology. Since the slopes of this mountain are slight in many areas, the Uludag skiing facilities are popular among a big range of people with different levels of skiing experience.
The great quality of snow and whopping popularity of the ski resorts in Uludag has paved the way for the tourism industry investors to pour capital into this area, building more than 25 hotels, tens of restaurants, and cafes. The Uludag Winter Sports Center is among the most important ski resorts in eastern Europe.
Bursa: Home of Creative Food and Dishes
Like every Turkish city, Bursa puts forward a great variety of dishes and restaurants to its visitors and inhabitants. Whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian, on a diet or not, you will find something delicious to eat in Bursa. That said, there are two special gifts from Bursa to the world of food lovers:
1. Iskender Kebab
One of the well-known kebab dishes of the Bursa region is Iskender kebab or Iskender doner. It began in Kayhan Bazaar in 1867. Although doner kebab is its main component, its flavor is enhanced by butter, tomato sauce, yogurt on the side, and pieces of greasy bread.
2. Kestane Sekeri (Marron glacé)
Chestnut, chestnut syrup, and sugar are combined to make this dessert, which is one of Bursa's well-known delights. Chestnuts grown in Uludag are used to make these candies. Chestnut candies dipped in chocolate come in a variety of tastes and flavors.
Property investment in Bursa
Bursa is one of the top destinations for foreign and domestic property investors in Turkey. This city has always ranked high when it comes to properties sold to foreign investors, especially for those who are looking for Turkish Citizenship by Investment.
Why Is Bursa So Popular among Property Investors?
Buying property and real estate investment in Bursa makes a lot of sense since this city is one of the most popular for property investments in Turkey. There are some obvious reasons for the popularity of Bursa for property investors, such as:
1. Competitive Prices
Even though Bursa is in a decent location, investors are often astonished by how reasonable the prices of properties and real estate are. Apartments start at less than $50,000, and luxury villas cost a fraction of what similar homes in Istanbul, Izmir, and Bodrum do.
2. Highly-Developed Infrastructure
Since Bursa has long been an industry and tourism center, living standards are at a preferable level. Tourism and industrial development have directed the city towards higher amounts of urban infrastructure investments.
3. Economic Prosperity
Bursa is located in the heart of a 4-season tourism focal point. Additionally, production and agriculture in Bursa have grabbed the attention of multinational and national investors. These have contributed to the city's economic growth and prosperity.
4. Strategic and Preferable Location
With endless natural resources and direct and close access to different parts of the country, from the sea of Marmara to the heart of Anatolia, Bursa does draw financial and infrastructural resources to itself as well as nature-loving visitors and residents.
5. Variety of Developing Projects
Due to mentioned reasons, a great variety of property developments are taking place in Bursa. You can easily find branded and high-quality properties in Bursa for living or making a profitable investment.
Expand Your Investment with Propline
Propline is an investment technologies company that offers investment solutions for investors who are looking for high-quality property investment and prefer safe and transparent transactions. Our portfolio of branded properties is so rich that anyone with any taste can find an investment option fitting their requirements.
Bursa is one of the cities where Propline offers choices for its clients and customers. In partnership with reputable developers, Propline provides the best and suggested real estate investment chances in Bursa for you. Our straightforward procedures make your investment an enjoyable experience.
