"The first capitals of the Ottoman Empire -- Bursa and Edirne
Sunday, November 12, 2006
As the Ottomans expanded their territory in the chaotic years of the 13th century, they captured Bursa in 1331, which at the time was an important silk-making center. This city very quickly became their center of power from which they continued to expand The visitor either coming from the border at Kapıkule or from Istanbul will be struck by the sight of the Selimiye Mosque high above Edirne. This mosque is considered the masterpiece of Mimar Sinan, who was the greatest architect of the 16th century If you would like to see one of the most spectacular mosque complexes still intact in Turkey, then just outside of Edirne is the Sultan Bayezit II complex. It was used as a teaching hospital, especially for the mentally disturbed "
More:The first capitals of the Ottoman Empire -- Bursa and Edirne - Turkish Daily News Nov 12, 2006
