Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, may offer a rather modern appearance, but it was actually the 14th – century capital of the historic Ottoman Empire. Therefore, for many locals, Bursa really does serve as the origin of Turkish culture and remains a city with an extremely important past, which dates back more than 2.200 years. Bursa is very rich in religious monuments, mosques and a centre for silk trade. It is possible to visit Mount Uludag by cable cars, which is a ski resort as well as a national park. Bursa is also famous for its warm, mineral-rich springs; indeed most of the hotels in this province have thermal bath facilities. The worldly-known Turkish Baths (Hamam) are great places that should be visited in Bursa.