Bursa established itself as an important center as far back as pre-Roman times, attracting emperors and rulers for its rich, fertile soil and healing thermal waters. As the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa became the beneficiary of the finest mosques, theological schools (medreses), humanitarian centers (imarets), and social services (hans, hamams, and public fountains).

Today Bursa is a thriving cosmopolitan center with roots in industry and agriculture, renowned for its fine silk and cotton textiles, and the center of Turkey’s automobile industry. The nearby ski resorts at Mount Uludag provide city dwellers with an easy weekend getaway, while others just make a special trip here to stock up on cotton towels.