Eyüp Sultan Mosque
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque (Turkish: Eyüp Sultan Camii) is one of Istanbul’s most hallowed landmarks, steeped in spiritual significance and Ottoman history. Nestled in the Eyüp district, this grand mosque complex enshrines the final resting place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Ebu Eyüp el-Ensari), a revered companion and standard-bearer of the Prophet Muhammad. His burial site, believed to have been discovered following the Ottoman conquest, has made the mosque a focal point of pilgrimage for centuries. Although the sacred site itself is far older, the present structure dates back to the early 19th century, showcasing an elegant Baroque aesthetic atop its storied foundations.
The profound sanctity of the Eyüp Sultan Mosque transcends religious devotion; it was historically intertwined with Ottoman statecraft. Newly enthroned Ottoman sultans would ceremoniously process along the grand Cülus Yolu (Accession Way) to be girded with the Sword of Osman—a symbolic act bestowing legitimacy and divine sanction upon their reign. This ritual, echoing the traditions of Islamic and Turkic leadership, imbued the mosque with an unparalleled ceremonial prestige. Even today, the site remains a beacon of faith, attracting worshippers and visitors who seek both spiritual solace and a glimpse into the past.
The original mosque, commissioned by Sultan Mehmet II (Mehmet the Conqueror) in 1458, succumbed to the ravages of time and seismic upheavals. In 1766, an earthquake reduced it to ruins, prompting Sultan Selim III to oversee its reconstruction in 1800. The current structure exudes a refined Baroque style, its pale honey-hued stone lending an air of warmth and serenity. Within, the mosque’s dome—spanning 17.5 meters in diameter—is flanked by two half-domes, creating a sense of grandeur and harmonious balance. The delicate interplay of light filtering through stained-glass windows and the intricate arabesque motifs adorning its interiors evoke a sense of celestial tranquility.
While the mosque itself is an architectural marvel, the adjoining mausoleum of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari remains its most venerated feature. Open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, the tomb is an exquisite mosaic of Ottoman tilework, with panels from varying historical periods adorning its walls. Each ceramic masterpiece tells a story, culminating in an overwhelming yet mesmerizing display of Islamic artistic expression. Pilgrims and tourists alike find themselves awed by the intricate calligraphy and geometric motifs that enshrine the tomb of this esteemed companion of the Prophet.
Beyond the mosque and tomb, the Eyüp district offers an immersive historical and scenic experience. The Eyüp Cemetery, sprawling up the hillside, invites visitors to stroll through its leafy expanse, where Ottoman-era gravestones whisper tales of a bygone era. Atop the hill stands the iconic Pierre Loti Café, named after the French novelist and ardent admirer of Turkish culture. From this vantage point, one can sip traditional Turkish tea or coffee while gazing over the Golden Horn, a panoramic spectacle best savored at sunset. The ethereal beauty of this moment, where history and nature converge, leaves an indelible impression on those who visit.
For devout Muslims, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque holds a rank of sanctity just behind Islam’s three holiest cities: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. It is a place of deep spiritual reflection, where prayers and supplications echo within its sacred halls. Visitors are reminded to observe Islamic etiquette, as the site remains an active place of worship, especially bustling on weekends and religious holidays.
As one of Istanbul’s most treasured Islamic sites, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque is more than an architectural gem—it is a testament to faith, tradition, and the unbroken link between the city’s past and present. Whether for spiritual fulfillment or historical intrigue, a visit to this hallowed sanctuary promises an experience both profound and unforgettable.
History Of Eyup Sultan Mosque
The mosque is named after Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Eyüp Sultan in Turkish), a companion and trusted friend of Muhammad, who is believed to have died here during the first Arab siege of Constantinople in the 670s. His final resting place, long venerated, became a site of immense religious importance, revered as a link to Islam’s formative years.
A mosque complex (külliye) was constructed on the site in 1458 by the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II, only five years after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Mehmed II was reportedly motivated to build the mosque after his teacher, Akşemseddin, had a dream about erecting a commemorative mosque at the burial place of al-Ayyub al-Ansari. When al-Ansari’s tomb was rediscovered in 1458, the mosque was built next to it, cementing its role as one of the most sacred Islamic sites in the Ottoman Empire.
The profound sanctity of the Eyüp Sultan Mosque transcends religious devotion; it was historically intertwined with Ottoman statecraft. Newly enthroned Ottoman sultans would ceremoniously process along the grand Cülus Yolu (Accession Way) to be girded with the Sword of Osman—a symbolic act bestowing legitimacy and divine sanction upon their reign. This ritual, echoing the traditions of Islamic and Turkic leadership, imbued the mosque with an unparalleled ceremonial prestige. Even today, the site remains a beacon of faith, attracting worshippers and visitors who seek both spiritual solace and a glimpse into the past.
Religious Significance of Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Mausoleum
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque in Istanbul holds profound religious significance for Muslims worldwide, owing to its association with Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a revered companion of the Prophet Muhammad. His tomb, or türbe, is enshrined within the mosque complex, making it one of the holiest Islamic sites in Turkey. Positioned on the northern side of a serene courtyard, directly opposite the entrance to the mosque’s main prayer hall, the mausoleum stands as a focal point of veneration. Pilgrims and visitors alike gather here to pay their respects, drawn by the sanctity of the location and the spiritual legacy it embodies.
Beyond its association with Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the mosque is also home to sacred relics believed to have belonged to the Prophet Muhammad. These relics, housed within the vestibule of the mausoleum, further elevate the site’s religious importance. Pilgrims approach these objects with deep reverence, as they serve as tangible connections to the early days of Islam and its most esteemed figures.
Ottoman Burials and Architectural Legacy
Due to the mosque’s unparalleled spiritual status, many high-ranking Ottoman officials, sultans, and members of the royal family sought to be interred within its vicinity. This tradition transformed the surrounding area into a necropolis of significant historical and architectural merit. Among the most notable figures buried here is Sokollu Mehmet Paşa, an influential grand vizier who served under Sultans Süleyman the Magnificent and Selim II. His tomb, reflecting the grandeur of Ottoman funerary architecture, remains a site of historical interest.
Other prominent statesmen, such as Siyavuş Paşa and Lala Mustafa Paşa, both of whom played crucial roles in the Ottoman Empire’s military and political spheres, also rest in proximity to the mosque. Their elaborate mausoleums stand as testaments to their enduring legacies. Additionally, Adile Sultan and Mihrişah Valide Sultan, distinguished members of the Ottoman royal family, were laid to rest in opulent tomb complexes along the Cülus Yolu, the ceremonial route used for imperial accession ceremonies.
Further afield, perched on an elevated vantage point overlooking the Golden Horn, lies the tomb of Sultan Mehmed V. Designed by the prominent architect Mimar Kemaleddin Bey in 1918, this mausoleum exemplifies the refined architectural style of the late Ottoman period, seamlessly integrating classical elements with contemporary influences.
The Eyüp Cemetery, sprawling behind the mosque and climbing up the hillside, is a striking visual testament to the enduring desire of many to be buried in the vicinity of this sacred site. The dense arrangement of intricately carved gravestones, some weathered by time, underscores the deep spiritual yearning that has persisted across generations.
Modern Traditions and Religious Practices
The mosque continues to play an integral role in the spiritual lives of Turkish Muslims today. One of the most poignant contemporary customs associated with Eyüp Sultan Mosque is the tradition of bringing young boys here before their circumcision (sünnet), a significant rite of passage in Islamic culture. Dressed in elaborate ceremonial attire, these boys visit the mosque to receive blessings before undergoing the procedure. The mosque also serves as the venue for mass circumcision ceremonies, particularly for children from underprivileged backgrounds. This practice, which had been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 precautions, was reinstated in 2022, reaffirming the mosque’s role in communal and religious life.
During the holy month of Ramadan, Eyüp Sultan Mosque becomes a central gathering place for those breaking their fast at iftar. The mosque’s courtyard transforms into a convivial space where families and friends share meals, reinforcing the communal spirit of the occasion. Many choose to picnic in the open air, a tradition that adds to the mosque’s vibrant atmosphere during this sacred time.
Throughout the year, the site remains a major destination for pilgrimage (ziyaret), attracting visitors from across Turkey and beyond. Pilgrims journey here seeking spiritual solace, offering prayers at the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari and reflecting on the profound history encapsulated within the mosque’s walls. The enduring appeal of Eyüp Sultan Mosque lies not only in its religious and historical significance but also in its continued role as a beacon of faith and tradition in the modern era.
Architecture of the Eyüp Sultan Mosque Complex
The Mosque
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque, despite its relatively late reconstruction in the late 18th century, remains an exemplar of the Classical Ottoman architectural style, which had reached its zenith under the renowned architect Mimar Sinan in the 16th century. The design of the mosque closely follows the blueprint of Sinan’s Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque in the Azapkapı district, adopting the distinctive octagonal baldaquin layout. A central dome, flanked by semi-domes, dominates the mosque’s silhouette, reinforcing its geometric harmony and spatial balance.
Although the structural framework adheres to classical principles, the decorative elements lean toward the Ottoman Baroque aesthetic that was in vogue during the late 18th century. Engaged columns with elegantly carved foliate motifs, shell-like embellishments, and intricate Ottoman calligraphic inscriptions adorn the surfaces, exuding an air of refined grandeur. The mosque’s columns, capped with Ionic-like capitals, are unassuming yet graceful. The gateways, mihrab (prayer niche), and minbar (pulpit) feature elaborate, undulating patterns, representing some of the finest craftsmanship from the Ottoman Baroque period.
Constructed primarily from white stone, the mosque exhibits an ethereal luminosity, further accentuated by the selective use of white marble columns bound with brass fittings. Gilded ornamentation enhances the overall aesthetic, lending an opulent contrast to the otherwise pristine structure. The two slender minarets, however, echo an earlier architectural tradition, standing as remnants of a stylistic transition.
Beyond its imposing facade, the mosque is accessed through a vast outer courtyard of irregular configuration, leading to a more intimate, rectangular inner courtyard. A distinctive feature of the outer courtyard is the elevated and enclosed corridor along its southern flank, historically reserved as the sultan’s private entryway. This passage facilitated direct access to both the mosque’s interior and the sultan’s loge, a screened balcony from which he could participate in prayers discreetly. The presence of a traditional şadırvan (ablutions fountain) within the courtyard underscores the significance of ritual purification before prayer.
The inner courtyard serves as a transitional space, bridging the entrance of the mosque with the revered shrine of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. Dominating the courtyard’s center is an ancient plane tree, its gnarled form standing sentinel over centuries of history. Positioned atop a rectangular marble platform, the tree is surrounded by delicate Baroque fountains at each corner, where water once flowed in ceremonial abundance. This very platform bore witness to the girding of Ottoman sultans with the Sword of Osman—a pivotal moment marking their ascension to the throne. The courtyard’s periphery is lined with a portico of graceful arches and domes, forming a prelude to the mosque’s sanctum.
The Mausoleum of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari
Adjacent to the northwest corner of the mosque’s inner courtyard lies the revered mausoleum of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a structure imbued with profound spiritual significance. The entrance to the mausoleum is heralded by an extended portico that reaches the edge of the courtyard’s verdant garden platform. Upon crossing its threshold, visitors first encounter a vestibule chamber that provides a solemn prelude to the tomb itself.
The tomb chamber adheres to an octagonal configuration, surmounted by a commanding dome. At its heart rests the sarcophagus of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, safeguarded by an exquisitely crafted Baroque-style silver screen. This protective barrier, resplendent with delicate arabesques, calligraphic inscriptions, and suspended lamps, enhances the sanctity of the space.
One of the most visually arresting features of the mausoleum is its extensive use of Iznik tiles, a hallmark of Ottoman ceramic artistry. The wall facing the portico is adorned with panels of Iznik tiles from various periods, meticulously curated during the mosque’s reconstruction in 1798–1799. The vestibule walls, too, showcase an array of Iznik tiles, many exhibiting the deep red glaze known as Armenian bole—a rare and sought-after hue from the late 16th century, regarded as a pinnacle of İznik tile production.
Comparable tiles, now housed in institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the British Museum, suggest that similar decorative panels once graced the now-dismantled entrance hall (camekân) of the complex’s hamam. In a regrettable act of vandalism in 2022, several tiles framing the dua penceresi (prayer window) in the courtyard were damaged by an individual who falsely claimed that their patterns concealed demonic imagery. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in preserving the site’s artistic and historical integrity.
Other Structures within the Complex
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque was historically the focal point of a larger külliye, a multifunctional religious complex designed to serve both spiritual and social needs. Among its integral structures were a medrese (theological school), an imaret (soup kitchen), and a hamam (public bathhouse). While the original medrese was likely dismantled during the mosque’s late 18th-century reconstruction, the hamam has largely survived, remaining in active use. However, its original changing room has since been replaced with a modern wooden structure, reflecting the evolving nature of the site’s functionality.
Several Ottoman-era funerary and philanthropic edifices dot the vicinity of the mosque, attesting to its enduring role as a spiritual and communal nucleus. Notably, the intricately preserved imaret and tomb complex of Mihrişah Sultan, the mother of Sultan Selim III, stands nearby. Erected in the Baroque style several years prior to the mosque’s reconstruction, Mihrişah Sultan’s complex serves as an ancillary monument to the legacy of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, reinforcing the enduring significance of this sacred enclave.
