Standing in the congregation hall of the mosque, and looking north, where the entrance is.

The T-form ground plan of early-Ottoman mosques (the so-called ‘Bursa-type’ mosques) is derived from the late-Seljuk medrese-with-covered-courtyard, with three large iwans (half-open rooms) opening upon a central space. In this mosque, these four rooms are still distinct from each other: their floors are not on the same level.
As the first Ottoman rulers (at least up to their conquest of Constantinople) had strong ties with various Sufi Orders, it is clear that the Bursa-type mosques were designed as multi-functional buildings to meet the needs of these brotherhoods: a place to worship (the ‘mihrab’-room), but also to teach and debate (the ‘iwan’-rooms on the left and right) and even to stay overnight or for longer periods (for this purpose, the Hüdavendigâr Camii’ has at least six middle-sided rooms on its ground floor).

On the picture: The east aisle/iwan of the congregation hall; the narrow passages on both sides of it lead to rooms belonging to the ‘zaviye’ (dervish lodge), which was also situated on the ground floor.
On the foreground: the central space, with its marble ‘şadırvan’ (fountain for ritual ablutions). This fountain dates from the 1904 restoration; some sources suggest it was not part of the original 14th century draft. The same can be said about the platform for the singers that has been arranged above the entrance.
The murals too date from the 1904 restoration; they are an example of late-Ottoman style, mixing 16th century classic design with 19th century Turkish ‘Baroque’, influenced by European Neo-Classicism.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: ‘Vakıf Abideler ve eski Eserler (volume III)’ - Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü, Ankara 1983
‘Bursa – Turquie’ – booklet of the Bursa Müzeleri, 1980 & Website of ‘nkfu.com’ .