The name 'Koza Han' translates to 'Cocoon Caravanserai,' reflecting its original purpose as a center for the silkworm cocoon trade.
The courtyard features a small, octagonal stone fountain located beneath the masjid, used historically by traders for ablutions.
Many of the shops currently operating in the building have been passed down through generations of the same merchant families.
The architectural style represents a classic Ottoman khans, intended to provide security and storage for travelers on the Silk Road.
It served as the final destination for silk caravans traveling from China and Persia before the material was processed and exported to Europe.
Koza Han is a 15th-century silk bazaar commissioned by Sultan Bayezid II in 1491 as part of the Bursa Silk Road trade route. The rectangular structure features a two-story courtyard configuration built from alternating courses of brick and stone. Historically, the ground floor served as stables and shop spaces, while the upper floor functioned as private rooms for merchant accommodation. It remains the commercial heart of Bursa's silk trade, housing numerous textile shops specializing in high-quality mulberry silk scarves, wraps, and garments. The central courtyard contains an octagonal mosque, or masjid, supported by stone pillars. The building is positioned between the Orhan Mosque and the Great Mosque of Bursa (Ulu Cami). It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2014 as part of the Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire site.
From the second-floor balcony looking down into the courtyard to capture the symmetry of the architecture and the octagonal mosque.
Inspect the quality of silk products by looking for natural sheen and checking for specific 'Bursa silk' certifications.
Visit the upstairs balcony level for a quieter perspective of the courtyard and to browse artisanal textile shops.
Take time to sit in the courtyard for a traditional Turkish coffee, which is often served in copperware.
Avoid purchasing mass-produced synthetic scarves sold by street vendors outside the main gates; stick to the established shopfronts inside the Han.
The bazaar shops may have limited operations on Sundays compared to weekdays.
Modest dress is advised due to the adjacent mosques; avoid loud behavior in the quiet courtyard.
