The 698th anniversary of the conquest of Bursa was celebrated with an event at Balabanbey Castle, the gate of the Ottoman's transition from principality to state. The event, hosted by Yıldırım Municipality, was held at Balabanbey Castle, which is historically important for the conquest, attended by Yıldırım Mayor Oktay Yılmaz, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş, AK Party Bursa Deputy Emine Yavuz Gözgeç, Yıldırım District Governor Metin. Esen, Osmangazi District Governor Ali Partal, Nilüfer District District Governor Murat Süzen, institution managers, municipal council members and district residents attended.
Following the program, which started with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, Uludağ University Department of History Dr. Lecturer Zeynep Akan Yetişir talked about Bursa's place in the historical process, how Bursa became the capital and Bursa's economic, commercial and cultural life. Speaking at the ceremony, Yıldırım Mayor Oktay Yılmaz said, “Bursa is a deep-rooted and ancient city that has hosted many civilizations with its 4 thousand years of known history. Undoubtedly, this ancient city experienced its brightest time during the Ottoman period. Bursa gained a new meaning and spiritual identity with the blessed conquest that took place 698 years ago, on April 6, 1326. Bursa, the historical capital, with the Ottoman rule; It has become a city competing with the world in architecture, commerce, science and art. Bursa; In the hands of our ancestors, it became a symbol of our civilization beyond being a city. Balaban Castle is the first structure built by the Ottoman Empire in Bursa. Ancestors made preparations for the conquest of Bursa in this castle. From here, Osman Gazi showed his son Orhan Gazi the shining Byzantine Monastery on the walls of Tophane and said, 'Bury me in this silver tomb' and set the conquest of Bursa as his target. Yıldırım is the gate of conquest of Bursa. "Yıldırım is history, Yıldırım is a trust, Yıldırım is a will," he said.
WE WHO ARE LIVING WILL BE TURNED INTO A MUSEUM
Celebrating the 698th conquest anniversary of the ancient city of Bursa, where the foundations of the Ottoman Empire were laid, Mayor Oktay Yılmaz said, “It is an honor and honor for us to serve this historical and ancient city. In this ancient region, which is a heirloom of our ancestors, we are implementing projects that will revitalize our history and civilization and carry it into the future. We turned Balaban Castle and its surroundings into a protected area. By expropriating the area around the Hünkâr Mansion, we are creating a city park of approximately 50 thousand square meters. By restoring Bursa's first silk factory and the Historical Osman Fevzi Efendi Mansion, we are providing a cultural center and social living space to the region. We have completed the work on the facility and will put it into service in the coming months. Again, we will unearth the traces of our ancestors by expropriating the area known as the training hall, which includes the Çobanbey Social Complex. Hopefully, this region will turn into a living museum of our history and civilization with our work. We will work with sincerity and effort for Yıldırım and Yıldırım people, taking as our guide the courage of Yıldırım Beyazıd Khan, the foresight of Çelebi Mehmet Khan and the spiritual personality of Emir Sultan. May our unity and solidarity be eternal, and may our state last forever. "I commemorate our ancestors, who ruled three continents with the spirit of conquest and brought justice and civilization to societies, with mercy and gratitude on the 698th anniversary of the conquest," he said.
