Uludağ (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈuɫudaː]), historically known as Mysian or Bithynian Olympus (Greek: Όλυμπος), is a mountain in Bursa Province, Turkey, with an elevation of 2,543 meters (8,343 feet).

Mount Uludağ is the highest mountain in the Marmara region. Its highest peak is Kartaltepe, which reaches 2,543 meters (8,343 feet). To the north of the mountain are high plateaus named Sarıalan, Kirazlıyayla, Kadıyayla, and Sobra.

In Turkish, "Uludağ" means "great mountain." In ancient times, the mountain range it is part of, located along the southern edge of Bithynia, was called Olympos in Greek and Olympus in Latin. The western part of the range was known as Mysian Olympus, and the eastern part was called Bithynian Olympus. The city of Bursa was historically named Prusa ad Olympum because it was located near the mountain. During the Middle Ages, the area had small religious houses and monasteries. A monastic center began to grow in the 8th century and remained important until the 11th century. This growth was connected to monks who resisted the policies of iconoclast emperors and later opposed the urban monastic traditions of the Studites. One of the most respected monks of the Christian East, Saint Joannicius the Great, lived as a hermit on this mountain.

Near the summit of Uludağ is an abandoned wolfram mine. The mine and a nearby factory, built in 1974 for US$60 million, were closed in 1989 because of high costs to operate. The area is a popular place for winter sports like skiing and is a national park with diverse plant and animal life. In the summer, activities such as hiking and camping are also common.

Uludağ National Park Turkey

Uludağ, the tallest mountain in western Anatolia, is usually reached by car or a gondola lift. The park is located about 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of Bursa and is marked with signs from there. Bursa is connected by road to Istanbul. The gondola lift begins in Bursa and has a stop at the alpine meadows of Kadiyayla, which are about 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) high. It continues to Sarialan, a stop at approximately 1,630 meters (5,348 feet).

The park includes many different habitats, such as oak savanna, lowland deciduous forest, and isolated maquis. Higher up, there are beech and fir mixed forests, and at the highest levels, alpine meadows. This area is home to mountain birds like lammergeier, vultures, golden eagles, and over 20 other birds of prey. Other high-altitude animals include alpine accentor, rock thrushes, and choughs. The region also has eastern specialities such as isabelline wheatear, red-fronted serin, and Krüper’s nuthatch, which live near the western edge of their habitats. Dense fir forests are home to short-toed treecreeper, common crossbill, and Tengmalm’s owl, a rare bird in Turkey, as well as the white-backed woodpecker.

A rare butterfly, Parnassius apollo graslini, lives on Uludağ. The area is also of interest to botanists, with colorful pink primroses, leopard’s bane, purple and yellow crocuses, and grape hyacinths. A few wolf packs also live on the mountain.

Gallery

• Skiing in January
• View of Bursa from the hills
• View from the Asian side of Istanbul, located 100.74 kilometers (62.6 miles) away
• Aerial view
• Satellite image showing Bursa located in the northwest area
• View