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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Osman Gazi Türbesi |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
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Type:
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Church |
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Plan Type:
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Central Plan |
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Year of Costruction:
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5th c. |
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Phase:
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Early |
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Investigation Method:
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Altitude:
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250 |
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Region:
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Marmara |
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Province:
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Bursa |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Tophane |
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Antique Name:
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| Location: It is situated in the Tophane Park in the Tophane Quarter at the provincial center of Bursa. |
| Geography and Environment: The basilical church, probably of a monastery complex was converted into a mosque following the conquest of Bursa by the Ottomans. The building known as the "Silver Dome" as it was covered by lead, adjacent to the church was used as the Tomb of Osman Gazi. Another building of the same monastery complex was, later on, used as the Tomb of Orhan Gazi. |
| Research and Excavation: No systematic survey has been conducted yet. |
| Description: Building Phases: The Tomb of Osman Gazi, known as the Silver Dome was probably used as a martyrion during the Early Byzantine Period, and it belonged to the 5th century [Eyice 1962b:146]. The building sustained a grave damage from the fire of 1801, and during the earthquakes of 1854-1855, and the present building was rebuilt in 1868. Architectural Features: The building used for the Tomb of Osman Gazi was octagonal in a diameter of 11.5 m, and 1.5 m thick walls. It was presumably built as martyrion during the Byzantine Period. The thick walls have niches both on the inside and outside. There are sets of double columns between the niches on the inside. It is surmounted by a suppressed dome on a high drum. The narthex section was added at a later period, and it was converted into a chapel in the Byzantine Period [Eyice 1962b:143-146]. |
| Finds: |
| Interpretation: The references made to the monastery complex, which now houses the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, by several travelers differ widely. According to S. Gerlach, the church was built in the name of John, and C. Texier calls it the Monastery of David, and indicates that it was dedicated to Saint Ilias. It was also called the Davul Monastery or Davullu Monastery due to a large drum, which was there during the Ottoman Period [Eyice 1962b:132-139]. |
| Destruction: Remains of the building did not survive. The location of the building is used as a shrine. |
