Audio GuideEyüp Sultan Mosque

The Eyüp Sultan Mosque stands as a cherished symbol along the shores of Istanbul’s Golden Horn, just beyond the city’s ancient walls. Its history stretches back more than fourteen centuries. Named in honour of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a devoted companion of the Prophet Muhammad, the mosque occupies a site of great significance. Abu Ayyub travelled to these lands in the closing years of the seventh century and is believed to be buried here, earning the place immense respect throughout the Muslim world.

Meysam Tabrizi

After the Ottomans captured Constantinople, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror selected this hallowed ground to build the city’s first mosque complex beyond the old walls, in the late fifteenth century. The mosque as it stands today was entirely reconstructed at the start of the nineteenth century, blending the calm elegance of classical Ottoman architecture with refined touches of Ottoman Baroque—imagine slender white stonework, gilded marble, intricate calligraphy, and lavishly carved leaf patterns in every corner.

Abdullah Anati

The central dome appears to float above an octagonal ring of columns—a style once favoured by the renowned Ottoman architect Sinan. Both inside and outside, you will find panels of Iznik tiles, famous for their bold reds and vibrant blues, some of which date back nearly five hundred years. Objects and relics reputedly linked to the Prophet Muhammad are safeguarded within, lending the site special significance.

TRACK ONE

Eyüp Sultan was the chosen location for the Sword of Osman ceremony, at which new Ottoman sultans were invested. The mosque’s enclosed courtyard and its ancient plane tree have, for generations, played host to important events, from sunset Ramadan feasts to cheerful circumcision festivals for local boys.

A labyrinth of historic tombs surrounds the mosque, as many distinguished Ottomans and members of the royal dynasty sought to be laid to rest nearby, believing it brought divine blessing. The wider complex once included schools, public baths, and kitchens that served the needy. Today, people from all walks of life visit to experience the powerful blend of history, faith, and living tradition still felt within the soaring halls of Eyüp Sultan.