This is another series of shots of one of the truly great mosques in Bursa the Yesil or Green (1424) Mosque. It has a wealth of great tiles and carving, apart from just being good architecture.I visited the mosque once again in December 2006. I used flash to bring out more natural colours on the great tilework. Reflection caused some trouble, overall I think the result is acceptable.

Details on the mihrab, the central prayer niche.

Following the earthquake in 1855, the building underwent an extensive renovation led by the French architect Léon Parvillée, as Ahmet Vefik Paşa, the Vali (governor) of Bursa, was unable to find a qualified Turkish architect. Parvillée managed to save the mosque, but he lacked experience of the Seljukian and early Ottoman architecture and applied arts. He was also hampered by shortages of money and skilled labour. As a result, in the interior, there are many 19th century replacements among the tiles which lack the early 15th century spirit.

On the picture: Some tiles of the mihrab bearing polychromic floral motifs. The tiles on the left are authentic, those on the right are a 19th century unsuccessful attempt to imitate authenticity.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: ‘Vakıf Abideler ve eski Eserler’ - Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü III, Ankara 1983 - Wikipedia,