Eyüpsultan, Religious district in Istanbul, Turkey
Eyüpsultan is a district on Istanbul's European side stretching from the Golden Horn toward the coast. It contains residential neighborhoods, parks, a central mosque complex, and traditional shopping areas.
The area was known as Kosmidion during Byzantine times. After Istanbul's conquest in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II built a mosque over the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, establishing it as a major religious center.
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque draws Muslim pilgrims who come to perform religious rituals at this sacred site. Markets surrounding the complex sell prayer beads, headscarves, and other items used in daily spiritual practice.
The district is well served by metro lines, buses, and a cable car to Pierre Loti Hill with views of the Golden Horn. Visitors should allow time to explore the markets and show respect when visiting religious sites.
The Mihrişah Sultan Complex from 1796 preserves rare examples of Ottoman architecture with a mosque, mausoleum, and fountains still standing largely unchanged. This ensemble demonstrates the craftsmanship and religious patronage of the late Ottoman period.
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