Eyüp Sultan Mosque

Interesting facts

1. 1

   Ottoman sultans historically performed a 'Sword Girding' ceremony here as part of their coronation ritual.

2. 2

   The mosque complex is located outside the historic city walls of Constantinople.

3. 3

   The inner courtyard contains a famous centuries-old plane tree that is protected as a heritage landmark.

4. 4

   The tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari is encased in silver and decorated with exquisite 18th-century Iznik tiles.

5. 5

   The mosque was the first to be built by the Ottomans in the city after the 1453 conquest.

6. 6

   It is considered the fourth holiest site in the Islamic world after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.

7. 7

   The current building replaced an earlier structure that suffered structural failure due to a major earthquake in 1766.

Overview

The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is the site of the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, making it the most sacred Islamic site in Istanbul. The original 1458 structure was the first mosque built by the Ottomans following the conquest of Constantinople. Much of the current complex dates to an 1800 reconstruction ordered by Sultan Selim III after the original building was damaged by an earthquake. The mosque serves as the coronation site for Ottoman Sultans, who were girded with the Sword of Osman here. The complex includes a central mosque, a courtyard with a centuries-old plane tree, and the ornate mausoleum of Eyüp Sultan. It functions as a major pilgrimage destination, particularly during religious holidays and on Fridays. The architectural style reflects late Ottoman Baroque influences, distinct from the classical imperial mosques of the central city.

Insider tips

• Visit the courtyard to observe local customs and the ritual feeding of pigeons.

• Combine your visit with a short walk up the nearby hill to Pierre Loti for panoramic views of the Golden Horn.

• Look for the smaller secondary tombs (türbes) in the surrounding cemetery area, which houses many notable Ottoman officials.