The Eyup Sultan Mosque is the holiest site in Istanbul and one of the most sacred places in the Islamic world.
History
Eyup Sultan Mosque was erected by Mehmet the Conqueror over the tomb of Halid bin Zeyd Ebu Eyyûb (known as Eyup Sultan), the standard bearer for the Prophet Mohammed as well as the last survivor of his inner circle of trusted companions.
It is popularly accepted that while serving as commander of the Arab forces during the siege of 668 to 669, Eyup was killed and buried on the outskirts of the city. One of the conditions of peace after the Arab siege was that the tomb of Eyup be preserved.
The burial site was “discovered” during Mehmet the Conqueror’s siege on the city, although the tomb is mentioned in written accounts as early as the 12th century.
A little village of tombs mushroomed on the spot by those seeking Eyup Sultan’s intervention in the hereafter, and it’s still considered a privilege to be buried in the nearby cemeteries.
The Girding of the Sword ceremony was traditionally held here. In this Ottoman enthronement rite, Osman Gazi’s sword was passed on, maintaining continuity within the dynasty as well as creating a connection with the Turk’s early ideal of Holy War.
What to See
Eyup is a popular spot animated by the small bazaar nearby, crowds relaxing by the spray of the fountains, and little boys in blue and white satin celebrating their impending circumcisions. Unfortunately, it’s a natural magnet for beggars as well.
The baroque mosque replaces the original that was destroyed in the earthquake of 1766, but the real attraction here is the turbe, a sacred burial site that draws masses of pilgrims waiting in line to stand in the presence of the contents of the solid silver sarcophagus or meditate in prayer.
Is not the greatest sight , but has a lot of great shopping to do on the main street , and yeah there is a Very nice View on the top of the hill.
Every time I visit that osque and pray in I find carpets smelly. The second point is the staff advising ladies to cover their heads and do not care their bodies , arms and legs are naked. The right thing is to show them the proper dress by pictures and do not allow violations as we do in Opera.
This mosque is one of the most important for Muslims. The place is very popular because it was raised close to the place where the standard-bearer of the Prophet was buried. His name was Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, but his Turkish name is Eyup Sultan.
This mosque is a pilgrimage place, so you will see many people….
I've been in Istanbul for about two months now and this is my second favourite spot I've visited so far. It's a very relevant, beautiful spot that's quieter than other tourist sites.
After a while, the gorgeous mosques in Istanbul run together, but this is definitely a lovely one, and Eyup is a pretty little village/suburb, not hard to get to by bus. If you like history, read Roger Crowley's book on the final siege of Constantinople and you'll learn who Eyup was!
A picturesque spot where u can enjoy a historical small cafe & enjoy the view of both sides of istanbul.
Don't miss Pierre Loti cafè upstairs and the cemetery.
If your not Muslim I'd stick to the other mosques unless you want to see a less touristy area which this seems to be, there's a small bazar area near by as well. If your Muslim its a must see it.
Eyup's magnificient location is an attraction that most tourists miss. The high location gives an opportunity to see a breathtaking view of the golden horn.
This place was crowded. The tomb of the sahaba is at this mosque, but was being restored while we visited so there wasn't much to see. My husband enjoyed the prayer that he attended there and the surrounding neighborhood was nice to walk through.