Hüdavendigar Mosque

Karagöz ("Blackeye") is the coarse, impulsive buffoon and Hacivat ("Ivat the Pilgrim") is the sensible one in the shadow-puppet plays of Turkey, which first appeared in the 14th century. They are said to be based on two real-life fellows working in the construction of one of the early Ottoman mosques in the city. They resemble the wayang of Java so the tradition may stem from there. The museum exhibits the duo, their supporting cast, and the stories and mechanics behind them.

Small but interesting museum of the area's prehistory. It's housed in a former boys' High School, set in the Kültür Park.

This was commissioned by Sultan Murad II and the mosque, which is fairly simple, was completed in 1426. The main draw is the eight mausoleums with a roll-call of early Ottoman nobles. The Koran and Calligraphy Museum (Kur'an ve El Yazmaları Müzesi, closed Monday) is a fine exhibition within the complex.

Machinery and other exhibits from the Merino wool trade and other textiles. A wool mill stood here until replaced by the Congress Hall.

This was built by Sultan Beyazid and completed in 1399. He then suffered a calamitous defeat by Timur, who wrecked it, and later the Karamansids wrecked it some more. It was rebuilt then and as needed in later years, especially after the earthquake of 1855, keeping to the original design - so it more resembles its Seljuk predecessors of Anatolia than later Ottoman creations such as the Blue Mosque of Istanbul. Ulu Camii is most renowned for the striking calligraphic panels that adorn its walls and columns, and the fountain within it.

This mosque was built 1419 to 1424 at the behest of Sultan Mehmed I Çelebi, who re-united the Ottomans after their fratricidal wars. Its striking green and blue tilework was wrought by the "Masters of Tabriz", and is especially rich on the mihrab, recesses and tomb of Mehmed himself. It's a two-story building in a T-plan, and unusually has a fountain within. Beside it are tea gardens with great views over the valley and Uludag mountain. The madrassah is nowadays the Museum of Turkish Islamic Art (see below), while the hamam has become a souvenir shop.