The heart of Turkey is Istanbul, and the heart of Istanbul is Istiklal Avenue or Taksim.
Istanbul, with a population of 16 million, is built on 7 hills and has 3269 mosques in the city. One of these is the Sultan Eyyub Mosque. The mosque, which is the fourth holiest structure in the Muslim world and the first in Turkey, was a special ceremonial place during the Ottoman period where sultans would come to pray and gird on their swords before ascending to the throne.
A Place Found Following the Trace of a Will - Sultan Eyyub Mosque
The Sultan Eyyub Mosque is a historical mosque of great spiritual significance for the Islamic world.
This sacred place is located in the Eyyub district of Istanbul. The tomb of Abu Eyyub al-Ansari, the standard-bearer and close companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is precisely here.
There are some places that one should not merely visit, but go to with affection and love.
According to legend, Abu Eyyub al-Ansari passed away during the first Muslim siege of Istanbul and, before his death, bequeathed that he be buried as close as possible to the city walls. Centuries later, after the conquest of the city in 1453, his tomb was found. This discovery was not merely the uncovering of a tomb. It was the spiritual seal of the conquest.
The Spiritual Center of the Ottoman Period
The first mosque erected after the conquest, five years after the discovery of the tomb, in 1458, a magnificent mosque was built here by order of Mehmed II. This mosque goes down in history as the first mosque built after the conquest of Istanbul.
During the Ottoman period, Eyyub Sultan was not merely a place of worship. It was considered the spiritual center of the state. New sultans ascending to the throne would pray here and formalize their rule with the “girding of the sword” ceremony. This ceremony was one of the most important rituals of the Ottoman state tradition. Thus, Eyyub Sultan had become a symbol of both spiritual and political power.
The Memory of History
The selection of this area for the construction of the mosque was not related to sea views or geographical advantages. The main reason was the will of Abu Eyyub al-Ansari and his spiritual influence. This land carried the memory of a companion, and that memory became the cornerstone of Istanbul's new history.
Today, the Eyyub Sultan Mosque is considered one of the holiest places both in Turkey and in the Islamic world. Visitors do not come here merely to pray. They also come to stand face-to-face with history, to feel the devotion and faith of a companion.
Peace in Silence
As you walk in the mosque's courtyard, you feel the breath of centuries. The sound of pigeons' wings, the whispers of people praying, the shade of ancient plane trees… Here, time seems to stand still.
Eyyub Sultan compels one to ponder: What are Faith and Devotion? How is history written?
If your path leads to Istanbul, and you dedicate a certain part of your day to this sacred place, you will not regret it. You will not merely see a mosque there. You will see the spirit of the conquest, the devotion of the companion, and the trace of a faith that has endured for centuries.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
One of the sufficiently well-known mosques in fraternal Turkey, and one of the most visited by tourists, is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
The mosque is located in an area that once served as a hippodrome and was called At Meydanı (Horse Square). Here, one can also see the German Fountain, built as a gift to the Sultan by the German emperor.
Tourists from various countries around the world are visible everywhere. They take photos, converse, and taste the roasted corn and chestnuts sold on the street.
Istanbul, where the heart of Turkey beats and which connects two continents, is worth visiting. I believe that to truly get to know and deeply experience this magnificent city, one needs to visit it again.
