Cities undergo many changes in terms of their human and physical characteristics after they are established. These changes in the cities established in ancient times can be detected more clearly today. After the Industrial Revolution, the urban population overtook the rural population. This has led to significant differences in the structure of cities compared to the past. Thanks to historical geography researches, the evolutions of a city from the time it was founded to the present day can be made meaningful. The city of Bursa, established in the south of the Marmara Sea, has been under the control of different civilizations and states throughout history. In ancient times, a large area, including the area where the city of Bursa was established, was called Bithynia. Bursa, established by the Bithynian king Prusias as a fortified city, continued its existence as a smaller city than its neighbour Iznik after its foundation. After the Bithynians domination, the city ruled by Roman, Persian and Byzantine empires. In the 14th century, after the Ottomans conquered the city, Bursa became the most important settlement centre around the city. This was due to the policy of the Ottoman sultans to expand the city with great care. As a first capital of the Ottoman Empire, became an international trade centre in the 15th century. Although the growth rate of Bursa slowed down after the conquest of Istanbul, the city continued to maintain its importance by keeping up with the requirements of the age. According to 19th century sources, Bursa was the most industrialised city in the Ottoman Empire. Bursa thermal springs, which have been a centre of attraction since ancient times, have continued this importance until today. In this study, the phases of the city of Bursa, which was founded in the 2nd century BC, until the Republican period were explained within the framework of the principles of historical geography discipline. To this end, historical and contemporary sources were analysed together. As a result of the study, it was analysed that the city of Bursa was under the sovereignty of many empires and states, but experienced its greatest development during the Ottoman Empire.