Mehmed IV’s Palace in Bursa

Abstract

As being the dynastic residence and seat of government, Bursa Palace, that had been the first full-fledged Ottoman Palace since the beginnig of the 14th century, had lost its importance after the conquest of Edirne and Istanbul. The palace, had been abandoned by the dynasty, was ruined in time and dissappeared ruins. Today, structuring on the area that Bursa Palace was located does not let the archeologic surveys. Therefore, limited number of studies on the palace is based on the written sources.

According to the 17th century records and statement of eyewitnesses, Mehmed IV who visited Bursa for two months in 1659, did not stay in the old palace of his ancestors but built a new palace located on the North-West side of the Hisar (Bursa Castle) Zone. Palace of Mehmed IV have not been mentioned in studies on Bursa Palace in detail, this architectural activity usually was discussed as a renovation or enlargement and never mentioned as an independent structure. This study aims to reveal an Ottoman Palace that had not been studied and taken part in literature.