Eyüp Sultan Mosque – Istanbul

Let me say a word about the correct spelling of this mosque’s name. In Turkish, it is the Eyüp Sultan Mosque. However, since the letter “ü” does not exist in English, I am using “u” instead. Given that this is an English-language text, search engines might not recognize the original spelling, making the post less visible. This minor but necessary adjustment does not alter the meaning. Readers will still clearly understand which mosque is being referenced.

Although I had travelled to Istanbul many times before, I didn’t visit this mosque until June 2024. This isn’t unusual, as it lies outside the city’s main tourist areas. Plus, one needs to be aware of its importance in the Islamic world to truly appreciate it.

The mosque stands on the burial site of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the standard-bearer and companion of the Prophet Muhammad.

Also, due to its special sanctity, the mosque played a key role in the coronation ceremonies of Ottoman sultans. Newly ascended rulers would process along the grand Cülus Yolu (Accession Way), to be girded with the Sword of Osman, marking the start of their reign.

OTTOMAN IMPERIAL MOSQUES

Ottoman sultans and members of the dynasty commissioned numerous historic monuments, often in the form of külliye, vast complexes centred around a mosque and surrounded by various structures serving charitable and social purposes. These included madrasas (religious schools), kitchens and other buildings designed to provide services to the poor.

The largest külliyes date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, although mosques constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries are also of great historical importance. In the 15th century, following his conquest of Constantinople, Fatih Sultan Mehmed commissioned the construction of two grand mosques. Unfortunately, both of these original structures were later destroyed by earthquakes or fires and had to be rebuilt.

Mimar Sinan, the chief imperial architect for the Ottoman Empire for over 50 years, designed and oversaw the construction of many of Istanbul’s most iconic complexes. His architectural vision set the standard for subsequent architects of külliyes throughout the empire.

While Istanbul is home to some of the most famous Ottoman imperial mosques, many others can be found in cities across Turkey. Bursa, the first proper capital of the Ottoman Empire, is home to several historically significant religious structures. You will find other notable imperial mosques in Edirne, Konya, Amasya, Manisa and even in Damascus.

EYUP SULTAN MOSQUE

Fatih Sultan Mehmed ordered the construction of the Eyup Sultan Mosque complex in 1458, just five years after his victory, inspired by a dream of his teacher, Akşemseddin. In his dream, Akşemseddin saw the construction of a mosque at the burial site of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a revered figure in Islam. It led Sultan Mehmed to fulfil this vision by commissioning the mosque.

The location of the mosque, at the entrance to the Golden Horn, made it not only a religious centre, but also a symbolic monument of Ottoman power and religious devotion.

However, as the centuries passed, the mosque faced significant challenges. By the late 18th century, the structure had suffered severe damage due to multiple earthquakes.

In response to this, Sultan Selim III, ordered the complete demolition of the original structure and commissioned its reconstruction. They completed the new mosque in 1800, following an entirely different architectural design.

The architecture of the Eyup Sultan Mosque is representative of the classical Ottoman style that reached its peak in the 16th century.

Inside the mosque, however, the decoration marks a distinct shift in style. By the time of its reconstruction, the Ottoman Baroque style had begun to take root. The Eyup Sultan Mosque’s interior is a perfect example of this contemporary influence. It combines traditional Ottoman elements with the new Baroque aesthetics.

ABU AYYUB AL-ANSARI MAUSOLEUM

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari was a close companion and the standard-bearer of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. As one of the Ansar (helpers) in early Islamic history, he supported Muhammad after the migration to Medina in 622. He passed away during the First Arab Siege of Constantinople and was buried near the Theodosian Walls.

Unfortunately, I only have this one photo of his mausoleum, which shows a section of the outer wall adorned with Iznik tiles. There were many people waiting to enter the already crowded mausoleum, so I decided to leave the visit for another time. To truly appreciate this sacred Islamic site, I believe, I’ll need to go first thing in the morning, right after the mosque opens. Otherwise, I suspect it will always be filled with visitors.

In the photos that I took outside prayer time, you can see many people both inside and outside the mosque. This is quite different from other imperial mosques, particularly the lesser-known ones. For instance, outside prayer hours, mosques like the Atik Valide Mosque and Ayazma Mosque in Üsküdar are often completely empty.

So, next time I visit Istanbul, I’ll make sure to visit this mausoleum again.

SOKOLLU MEHMED PASHA

Many members of the Ottoman royal family and prominent Ottoman officials chose the Eyup Sultan Mosque as their final resting place.

Among them is Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, who served under both Suleiman the Magnificent and Selim II. Unfortunately, his mausoleum was closed during my visit, so I didn’t have the opportunity to explore its interior. This gives me yet another reason to return to this mosque the next time I’m in Istanbul.

Sokollu Mehmed Pasha was taken by the Ottomans at a young age through the devşirme system. He eventually rose to hold the second most important position in the Ottoman state, just beneath the sultan.

He was killed in 1579 and is buried in his own complex, the Sokollu Mehmed Paşa Külliyesi, located immediately behind the mosque. Interestingly, he also has two mosques named after him in different parts of Istanbul.

The Sokollu Mehmed Pasha mausoleum and the rest of the complex were designed by the chief imperial architect, Mimar Sinan.

SOKOLLU MEHMED PASHA MADRASA

SIYAVUŞ PASHA

Another notable mausoleum located behind the Eyup Sultan Mosque is that of Siyavuş Pasha, who passed away in 1602. Siyavuş Pasha was a prominent statesman in the Ottoman Empire. He served as Grand Vizier three times throughout his career. His multiple terms in such a prestigious position reflect his significant influence and strategic importance within the empire.

The mausoleum stands as a tribute to his legacy and it serves as both a historical and architectural landmark.

MIHRIŞAH VALIDE SULTAN COMPLEX

When visiting the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, be sure to also explore the Mihrişah Valide Sultan Complex. Following the reconstruction of the mosque by Sultan Selim, there was a renewed interest in the surrounding area by the Ottoman dynasty.

The complex stands along the Cülus Yolu (Accession Way) and includes several important structures, such as an imaret (soup kitchen), a mausoleum and a sebil, all designed in the distinctive Ottoman Baroque style.

Mihrişah Valide Sultan, the mother of Sultan Selim III, commissioned the construction of the complex in the late 18th century.

The imaret, one of the last remaining functional soup kitchens from the Ottoman era, continues to serve as a testament to the social welfare programs that were an essential part of Ottoman philanthropy.

The mausoleum houses the remains of Mihrişah Valide Sultan and it adds to the historical and architectural significance of the site.

EYUP SULTAN MOSQUE –  REVERED PILGRIMAGE SITE

Today, the Eyup Sultan Mosque stands as a place of worship and also as a symbol of the enduring legacy of the Ottoman Empire’s religious and architectural influence. It remains a key pilgrimage site for Muslims, particularly due to its association with Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.

The mosque is considered one of the most significant religious landmarks in Istanbul. Though it is a prominent site for locals, it’s less frequented by international tourists. As you might have guessed, while there were many people at the mosque when I visited, none of them were foreign visitors.

I truly believe this is a site everyone should visit, even if it requires some extra effort to reach. For me, it carries a level of spiritual significance that rivals that of the Mevlana Museum in Konya, which is dedicated to the teachings and legacy of the famous Sufi mystic, Rumi. Both sites embody the deep spiritual history of Islam. I think that experiencing them first hand offers a unique connection to the past.

Next time I’m in Istanbul, I’ll certainly return to the Eyup Sultan Mosque, with the intention of properly experiencing the mausoleum of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. It’s one of those places that deserves more than a quick visit.