Bursa | Spa's and Thermal Springs

The province of Bursa is widely-known as 'Green Bursa' because of the wide range natural resources packed into one place. Apart from the numerous gardens and parks which populate the area, Bursa is proven to be fertile land for fruit growing, however the warm thermal springs are the biggest draw for many holidaymakers who visit.

As is the case with baths built around other hot springs in Turkey, it was the Romans who first decided to utilise the therapeutic aqua as the centre-piece of a social location. Ottoman Sultan Murat then undertook the renovation and his Turkish baths are still in use today.

It could indeed be said that Bursa can compete with all the Turkish thermal resorts in the history stakes. The founder of the Turkish Republic himself, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was known to stay in Bursa's oldest spa hotel - the Celik Palas.

The Celik Palas offers massage and electro-physical therapy. In fact, it could be said that the hotel is somewhat of a treat for the massage connoisseur. Classical massage, therapy massage, local massage, Swedish massage, port massage, face massage, celluloid massage and rubbing/soap massage are included in the range of treatments at the hotel.

The Cekirge district of Bursa is home to the Cekrige Springs, which feed the Kervansaray baths, providing relaxing therapeutic water treatment for over 600 people. The Cerkige hot springs run at an impressive rate of five litres per second,

Treatment is made available to guests at Kervansaray's Turkish bath, natural hot springs and hot mineral pools.

Among the conditions that the hot spring water of Bursa is known to have improved are rheumatic diseases, hepatic and gall bladder diseases, metabolic disorders, gynecological diseases and post- operative problems.

Aside from the spas and springs, Bursa displays some brilliant examples of Ottoman architecture, with several mosques dating back to the 15th century. The Ottomans arrived in Bursa in 1326 and were responsible for its development into a bustling cultural and economic centre.  The Kervansaray baths are themselves a good example of early Ottoman architecture.

Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and it is no surprise the people chose a location with so many natural resources to offer as a centre of the civilisation. Byzantine Empress Theodora was among the first recorded visitors to Bursa's magical springs.

An hour's drive away from Bursa is the Turkish ski resort of Uludag, where a variety of entertainment and sports activities can be enjoyed all year round. Uludag springs are also popular and many come from Bursa on a day out. The Oylat Thermal Resort sits at the foot of the Uludag mountain and features a hot spring which has been used for 2,000 years.

Football fans should note that local side Bursaspor play in the top division – the Turkcell Super League. Also, the town is gearing up for its application to be host of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

All in all, Bursa is an ideal place for a week-long trip, with the town and its surrounding areas providing more than enough activities to occupy the holiday of those who wish to mix culture with some time spent on spa duty.