The name ‘Hüdavendigâr Camii’ (Mosque of the Monarch) reflects the imperial longings of Murat I (1362-1389). He built this mosque in 1363, at the request of his mother Nilüfer Hatun. It had to be rebuilt (around 1420) after its destruction during the 1413 Karamanoğlu attack against Bursa (during the civil war between the sons of Sultan Bayezid I, which left the city without proper defence). The 1855 Bursa earthquake brought down the dome. In 1904-‘06 a comprehensive restoration of the mosque took place, and in 2006 it was renewed to its present state.

On the picture: The main entrance, situated in the middle of the porch, gives access to the interior. The passage ahead first runs through the ‘zaviye’ (dervish lodge), which consists of four rooms (two on each side). In the background, behind the door with the (largely rolled up) leather curtain, one sees the mosque with its marble ‘şadırvan’ (fountain for ritual ablutions) and mihrab (prayer niche).
The ‘kitabe’ (building inscription) above the door dates from the 1904 restoration; it is executed in 19th century late-Ottoman ‘Turkish Baroque’ style, which was influenced by European Neo-Classicism (and more specifically here by the French ‘Nouvel Empire’ style).

Note: The term ‘Turkish Baroque’ is a general one; if necessary, more specific terms can be used: ‘Barok’ (= Neo-Baroque), ‘Rokoko’ (= Neo-Rococo) or ‘Ampir’ (= ‘Nouvel Empire’).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: ‘Türkiye Tarihi Yerler Kılavuzu’ – M.Orhan Bayrak, Inkılâp Kitabevi, Istanbul, 1994
‘Bursa – Turquie’ – booklet of the Bursa Müzeleri, 1980 & Website of ‘nkfu.com’ .