Koza Han, Ottoman caravanserai in Bursa, Turkey.
Koza Han is a caravanserai with a rectangular layout and a central courtyard surrounded by two levels of galleries containing small vaulted chambers for merchants and goods. The arrangement creates an enclosed system where trading and storage were tightly connected.
This structure was built in 1491 under Sultan Bayezid II as a center for silk trade between Asia and Europe. The building was later restored and remained an important trading place for several centuries.
The mosque resting on eight pillars in the courtyard shows how faith was woven into the working spaces of Ottoman merchants. Visitors notice this connection between religion and daily commerce as they walk through the galleries.
The interior has been restored and now hosts shops selling silk products and cafes where visitors can rest. It is easy to navigate the space as the courtyard is open and the structure straightforward to explore.
The outer walls display a distinctive pattern of alternating brick and stone with a monumental portal at the entrance. This decorative system was typical of Ottoman trading houses and helps identify their structure at a glance.
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