Tuz Hanı (Bursa)

Tuz Han is a historic building located in Bursa.

It was commissioned in 1454 by Umur Bey, the son of Timurtaş Paşa. It was endowed to bring income to Umur Bey’s complex in Bursa. The walls of this structure are built with cut stone and brick, and it is a small caravanserai. In the Ottoman period it was known as the heart of the salt and spice trade. Over time it was affected by earthquakes and fires, fell into ruin, and was used as a warehouse. Later it was restored by the Osmangazi Municipality and returned to its original form. Tuz Han is one of the smallest caravanserais in Bursa.

Buildings built on the trade routes of Anatolia for merchants to stay and rest at night were called hans, while the larger ones were called caravanserais. Bursa has been considered an important trade city throughout history. Hans and covered bazaars represent the pulse of the economy for Bursa. The Hans District, with a history of 668 years dating from the early Ottoman period, is important for showing how the market structure formed in Bursa. The hans in this district are: Koza Han, Fidan Han, Pirinç Han, İpek Han, Emir Han, Geyve Han, Galle Han, Çukur (Kütahya) Han, Kapan Han, Tuz Han.