This was on the roof of a building where we got off the coach, but no idea why.
Moving swiftly on to the Green Mosque, so named because of the turquoise green tiles which once covered the roof and the tops of the minarets, some of which can apparently still be seen around the windows, alongside the delicate carvings.
The ablutions fountain directly in front of the entrance.
In the hallway connecting the vestibule to the
prayer hall, dark green hexagonal tiles cover the walls, punctuated by a large
roundel in the centre of each wall.
These roundels feature an intricate floral in black-line tiles glazed in white, yellow, green and blue.
Inside, the Prayer Hall was exquisitely beautiful. I'm really appreciating being able to recognise some of the common features in mosques now; mihrab and minbar for example. I'd like to say it's all down to Göksel but to be honest I don't recall him pointing out these features once; I've learned about them whilst researching for this blog.
It's such a shame the way the lights so often hang low in the mosques; impossible to get a decent shot without them.
The central hall contains a gorgeous octagonal marble fountain with a pool. The purpose of the fountain was to prevent eavesdropping with the natural sound of running water.
The dome of the Prayer Hall
Carving detail over one of the doorways.
The adjacent rooms were thought to have been used for offices with these niches used for document storage.
All the rooms had beautifully decorated ceilings.
The adjacent Green Tomb is definitely more green (or blue).
Again, cloaks to clothe the underdressed.
.Ottoman Sultan Mehmet I who died in 1421 lies here in the raised casket
The eight other burials here are 3 of Mehmet I sons, 4 of his daughters and the nanny of one of the daughters.
It certainly was a beautiful mausoleum and a great note to finish our time in Bursa on.