“Is it really green?” a child asks. Indeed, the name of Ye\u015fil Cami translates to Green Mosque. However, the green primarily refers to the stunning green and blue tile decorations adorning its interior.
Let’s explore the story of this beautiful building. The Green Mosque, or Ye\u015fil Cami, is part of a larger complex. This complex is in Bursa Turkey. Bursa served as the Ottoman Turks’ capital before Constantinople. The complex includes a mosque, a mausoleum known as the Green Tomb, a madrasa, a public kitchen, and a bathhouse.
Sultan Mehmed I commissioned the Ye\u015fil Cami. He ruled from 1413 to 1421. He ordered it after a fight against his brothers to reunite the Ottoman Empire. Construction began in 1412. The inscription over the entrance portal says it was completed in December 1419 or January 1420.
Hac\u0131 \u0130vaz Pasha supervised construction. He was an architect and patron of the arts. He had been a commander under Mehmed I. Mehmed I was buried in the Green Tomb after his death. His son and successor, Murad II, commissioned the mausoleum. Construction of the tomb finished in May 1421.
Decorative work on the mosque continued after Mehmed I’s death. A calligraphic inscription in the sultan’s loge says the decoration finished in August 1424. Nakkas Ali bin Ilyas Ali was the artist. He brought craftsmen called the “Masters of Tabriz” to assist him. The tiles around the mosque’s mihrab bear their signature.
Tabriz was a prominent artistic center in western Iran. Timurid influence arrived at the Green Mosque through Tabriz. Hac\u0131 \u0130vaz Pasha reportedly brought masters from foreign lands to aid in construction. A Persian inscription identifies Mehmed el-Mecnun as the artist who decorated the ceramics. The exact roles of each person are still uncertain. Terminology used in historical texts is not fully understood today.
The Green Mosque is often seen as the culmination of early Ottoman architectural style. This is mainly due to the aesthetic and technical mastery displayed.
The Bursa earthquake of 1855 caused extensive damage. Renovations began in 1863. French architect and artist L\u00e9on Parvill\u00e9e planned them. Ahmet Vefik Pa\u015fa asked Parvill\u00e9e to restore major monuments. Bursa was transforming into a modern city during this period.
Parvill\u00e9e first visited Istanbul in 1851. He later moved there in 1855. He worked as a decorator, contractor, and architect. Parvill\u00e9e was well-versed in early Ottoman style. He restored the interior and exterior of the mosque. This included the tile work. He also rebuilt the two minarets on an old base. Polychrome painted decorations were not restored.
Another restoration project took place from 1941 to 1943. The ceramic facing of the tiles was removed and reinstalled. A renovation started in 2010. It reopened on May 11, 2012. It cost 1.8 million Turkish Liras.
The Green Mosque is now a popular tourist destination in Bursa. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designated around historic Bursa.
Marble panels overlay the mosque’s edifice of hewn sandstone. Most were replaced in the nineteenth century. The door is crowned by a half-dome. It features a cascade of muqarnas covered with arabesques and Rumi inscriptions. Above the niches is an inscription dedicated to Hac\u0131 \u0130vaz Pasha.
The Green Mosque employs diverse tile techniques. These include black-line tiles, monochrome underglaze tiles, mosaic, and painted terracotta relief. Colors include green, blue, turquoise, white, yellow, light purple, and dark purple. The black-line tiles reflect Timurid influence. An inscription above the mihrab designates the black-line tiles as the “work of the masters of Tabriz”. Blue- and turquoise-glazed tiles reveal Seljuk influence.
The Green Mosque stands as a testament to Ottoman artistry. Its intricate details and rich history offer a glimpse into a fascinating past. As you gaze upon its walls, remember the countless artisans who poured their skill and passion into creating this masterpiece.