Digital technology illuminates Bursa’s history

BURSA - Anadolu Agency

LED illumination systems, which shed light on the aesthetical features of historical structures during the night, have served to brighten the world of the northwestern city. AA photos

Lights in Bursa are now more colorful affairs after the municipality moved to use LED technology to shine a light on the city’s many historical buildings.

Among the symbols of the northwestern province of Bursa for 600 years, Ulu Mosque, Balibey Inn, the Watch Tower in Tophane, the Emir Sultan Mosque, the Yıldırım Mosque and the Green Tomb are now being illuminated with the technology.

LED illumination systems, which shed light on the aesthetical features of historical structures during the night, have served to brighten the world of the northwestern city.

The projects, which bring together LED technology with the history of hundreds of years, have also made great contributions to energy productivity and savings as well as beautifying aesthetic elements.

Among them, the Ulu Mosque, which was built between 1396 and 1400 with the order of the Ottoman Sultan Yıldırum Bayezid, has gone through wars and natural disasters throughout history but it has still survived magnificently after many restorations.

White sodium vapor projectors were used in the minaret of the mosque. Also, three main entrances were highlighted with white LED lights. The domes of the historic place of worship were illuminated with turquoise projectors to reflect its magnificence at night, too.

Harmony of amber and white

The historic stone walls of the Emir Sultan Mosque, which is known to have been built at the time of Çelebi Sultan Mehmed on the order of Sufi intellectual Emir Sultan and his wife, the daughter of Ottoman Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid, Hundi Fatma Hatun, is illuminated with an amber color. White projectors were used in the illumination of the mosque’s windows.

The historical mosque, which is being illuminated with amber-white color harmony, is sparkling at night, too.

Another historical place in the city, the Balibey Inn, which was built at the time of Fatih Sultan Mehmed below the Tophane City Walls by Niğbolu flag officer Hamza Bey’s son, Balibey, was also illuminated. The illumination design was separated into three parts; entrance-outer façade, courtyard and inner rooms. Yellow was chosen to illuminate the place.

Lights in different colors, sizes

Another site, the Yıldırım Mosque and its social complex, which was built at the end of the 14th century, was given a particular importance since it has a significant place in the silhouette of the city. Cold white color was used in the mosque’s entrance, and amber color was used in general. Lights in different sizes and colors were used on the mosque.

The Bursa Watch Tower in the Tophane Park was built in place of another watch tower, which was previously built at the time of Sultan Abdulaziz and ruined at an unknown date. The tower was opened on Aug. 31, 1906, the 30th anniversary of the accession of Abdülhamid II to the throne. In the illumination design of the watch tower, white and amber lights were used.