Bursa: A thermal town on the Silk Road

On the ocassion of the EHTTA General Assembly held in Bursa in October 2015, the city held this 9th Café of Europe, the first one who was not direct part of the SOURCE Project, but continued the concept and philosophy of the initiative and previous cafés: to explore the -sometimes hidden- cultural aspects of our thermal tradition in all its diversity.

Bursa, former capital of the Ottoman Empire and a city of waters, was one of the most importsnt centres in the world for the commerce of silk and spices between the 14th and 15th century; a final stop on the fabled Silk Road. The Road today has been revitalized as an UNWTO programme and collaborative initiative designed to enhance sustainable tourism development along the historic route.

This Café explored the singular development of Ottoman thermal culture during the splendour times of the Silk road, the Middle Ages where the bathing tradition in Christian Europe was almost dilapidated. Bursa was then - and remains today - a health tourism destination, a world of hammans and Turkish baths were arts and prosperity grew side by side. As a testimony of this rich heritage, traditional music, folklore dance and traditional silk fashion were showcased in this Café..