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Orhan Mosque is located in the center of Bursa. It was built between 1339-1340 but was partly destroyed in 1413 by fire. It was repaired by Mehmet I in 1417. There is a five-bayed portico to the north of te he mosque where the entrance is. The portico is quite attractive with spandrels decorated in stone and brick. In the Early Ottoman Era, there were wandering dervishes who were also helping to spread Islamic faith. They are called Ahi dervishes. So this building was planned to meet the needs of those dervishes. On either side of the central court there are domed iwans for them to lodge or to have meetings. Another dome covers the main prayer hall, which is reached by a few steps. Mihrab, leading people in the direction of Mecca is one of the fine examples of stucco mihrabs produced in Anatolia.

The mosque witnessed an important phase of Anatolia when the Ottomans established their emirate, that was to become an empire and the dominant faith in Anatolia became Islam. This mosque, built by the conqueror, is a clear sign of this dominance. On the other hand Ottoman Empire was a multi-ethnic and multi-religion society and Bursa, being one of the major trade centers in the empire was also home for different ethnicities and religions.

The faith of the Ottoman Empire was Islam but ruling a vast land in the Middle East, Asia Minor Europe, the demographic profile was quite mixed. There is no specific inter-religious character of the mosque itself, but it stands as the witness of a rich history.

The multi-ethnic and multi-religion society of Bursa enjoyed decades of prosperity in the 19th century until the break of WWI. Even the city had a mixed population; demographic structure was well defined by districts. The business was mostly in the hands of Levantines and their district, where the Church of St. John is. With the population exchange in 1922 between Greece and Turkey, the demographic structure of the city drastically changed becoming overwhelmingly Muslim. In due course of time the numbers of Christians and Jews living in the city decreased.

- Direct visit
A direct visit, if possible, would be the best way for students to experience the atmosphere of the place.
- Virtual visit:
A PPT presentation prepared by the tutor enriched with visuals.
- Classroom activity (pre- and post- visit)
Pre-visit activity: A research by students on history of Bursa during Ottoman era with special attention to multi-ethnic and multi-religion society.

Post-visit:
- Discussion if trade had a role in multi-ethnic and multi-religion society.