Eyüp Sultan Mosque

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

The Eyüp Sultan Camii (Eyüp Sultan Mosque) is one of the most holy and important mosques in all of Turkey. It is so revered because it located on the site of the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Eyüp Ensari in Turkish) – who was both a friend and standard bearer for the Prophet Muhammed, and was killed during the first Arab siege of Constantinople (674-678).

Interior of Eyup Sultan Mosque, Istanbul

Eyup Sultan Mosque history

The mosque was erected on the instruction of Fatih Sultan Mehmet II (aka Mehmet The Conqueror), five years after he seized Constantinople for the Ottomans in 1453. However it fell into disrepair and was further ruined by earthquakes. It was rebuilt in a Baroque style using attractive pale honey-colored stone in 1800. The interior is elegant in design and the decorated dome of Eyup Sultan Mosque measures 17.5m in diameter and is supported by two half domes.

What else is there to see near the Eyup Sultan Mosque?

The tomb of Eyüp is perhaps more interesting than the mosque itself.  Open Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30 am-4:30 pm, it is covered in tile panels from a number of different periods, which create a beautiful, if overwhelming effect.

The Eyüp Cemetery, which leads up the hill from the mosque, is a pleasant leafy area to stroll through. At the top is the Pierre Loti Café, where you enjoy a Turkish tea or coffee with stunning views out across the Golden Horn (best enjoyed at sunset). The café is named after the French novelist and Turkophile who used to come here for inspiration.

Dome of Eyup Sultan Mosque, Istanbul

Ideas for visiting the Eyup Sultan Mosque

There’s a cable car (teleferik) that runs from the shore of the Golden Horn to the top of the hill. A good idea is to take this to the top, before walking down through the cemetery to the mosque at the bottom of the hill. If you’re feeling energetic, you can then carry on wandering through the colorful and cosmopolitan neighborhoods of Ayvansaray, Balat, and Fener, heading back towards Eminönü and Sultanahmet.

How to get to Eyup Sultan Mosque

Eyüp is a conservative neighborhood on the Golden Horn (so make sure to dress appropriately when visiting). It can be reached via the Haliç Hattı ferry line from Üsküdar, Karaköy, or Eminönü. There is no Eyup Sultan ticket price but donations are welcome.

 Have you checked Blue Mosque?