Istanbul has always been an important trading port of the Near East after the fall of Troy in the 12th Century BCE. The city of Byzas evolved into Constantinopolis after Constantine the Great transferred the capital of Rome to the peninsula guarding the entrance of the Bosporus. New Roman Capital immediately became the most powerful city of the Roman ages which attracted various siege attempts during history. During the expansion of Islam, the city was besieged many times. The first Arab siege took place in the 670s when the standard-bearer of the Arab armies fell during the campaign. Ansari stands for a helper in the Arabic language as Al-Ansari was among the supporters of Prophet Mohammed during the migration to Medina in 622. His continued support until the end of his life continued until he fell from a severe disease during the first Arabic Campaign of Constantinople. He was buried by the city walls of Constantinople and Mehmet the Conqueror is believed to have seen the tomb of Al-Ansari in his dream. After locating the grave, Sultan Mehmed II started the construction of the mosque which is not the structure seen today.

The Mosque of Eyup Sultan

The first mosque was built in the same site in 1458 after Sultan Mehmed the Conquerer found the burial place of Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari. By the end of the 18th Century, Sultan III Selim asked the imperial architect Grand Sinan to rebuild the mosque which is believed to have been affected by an earthquake. Grand Sinan finished the project in 1800 after two years of Sultan's request. Sinan used baroque style this time and created a very elegant structure as he did hundreds of times in his projects. Besides its spiritual value, Eyup Sultan Mosque is very important to the Architecture of the Ottomans. Ottoman Sultans were crowned in the Mosque of Eyup Sultan.

Where is Eyup Sultan Mosque?

Eyup Sultan Mosque is located in the Eyup district of Istanbul which is named after Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari. The mosque is built very close to the waters of the Golden Horn which is encircling the Northern part of the old city of Istanbul. Eyup Sultan is only 7 kilometers away from the most popular attractions of Istanbul such as the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Spice Market. The mosque is accessible by multiple means of public transportation. Eyup ferry dock is only a few minutes away from the mosque. If you are planning to visit the Pierre Lotti park and use the cable car there, you should walk a few minutes only to visit this important shrine to the Muslim community of Istanbul.

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