About Bursa
Bursa runs at a slower, deeper rhythm than Istanbul. Mill visits are often half-day affairs: factory cafeteria lunch, a walk through the dye house, time spent feeling fabric handfeel under daylight. Bursa textile families go back generations, and the silk weaving traditions of the historic Koza Han still inform the colour culture of the modern mills.
History & heritage
Bursa was the capital of the Ottoman Empire and the heart of the historic silk road that brought silk from China through Persia into Anatolia. The Koza Han silk caravanserai, built in 1491, still operates today as a silk and scarf marketplace. Modern Bursa industrialised through wool, then cotton, then technical fabrics, becoming Turkey s textile R&D capital.
Main streets & blocks
- ●Demirtas OSB
- ●Nilufer OSB
- ●Inegol OSB
- ●Bursa city silk and historic textile quarter
Who buys in Bursa
- ●Istanbul cut-and-sew factories sourcing fabric
- ●European brands placing fabric reservations
- ●Sustainable fashion houses sourcing certified yarns
- ●Hospitality groups sourcing towels, bathrobes and bedding
Visit tips
- ●Plan an overnight stay; mills are not walkable, you need a car or driver.
- ●Bring a swatch book; mill stylists love sampling against existing references.
- ●Most mills work on quarterly seasonal trend presentations: book a slot before sampling.
- ●Bursa hotels (Hilton, Crowne, Sheraton) offer corporate rates with mill referrals.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is Bursa important for Turkish textile industry?
- Bursa is the historic silk capital and home to the largest concentration of fabric mills, dye houses and vertically integrated knitwear factories.
- What fabrics are produced in Bursa mills?
- Silk, wool, polyester, viscose, terry towel, knitwear fabrics and technical performance textiles are all woven and finished in Bursa.
- What MOQ for fabric purchases from Bursa mills?
- Stock fabric is available from 100 meters, custom development requires 500-3000m minimum depending on construction.
- Are silk fabrics still woven in Bursa?
- Yes, Bursa silk weavers continue traditional craftsmanship with both mulberry silk and silk-blend fabrics for global luxury brands.
- How far is Bursa from Istanbul for sourcing visits?
- Bursa is 2 hours from Istanbul by ferry plus highway, or 3 hours by direct highway, with daily bus and ferry services.