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| '''Eyüp''' is a district of the city of ] and |
'''Eyüp''' is a district of the city of ], up where the Kağıthane and Alibey streams meet at the head of the Golden Horn. | ||
| Although this area lies outside the city walls there was always a village here, as the two streams provided plenty of fresh water, and in the Byzantine period there was a church in the village and later a monastery (which was built on the steep hill behind today's Eyüp Camii). | |||
| Originally this area was a village beyond the walls of the city of Istanbul but as the city grew it became incorporated into the city. | |||
| The name Eyüp comes from ], the companion and stadard bearer of the Prophet ]. He came to Istanbul with the Arab army during the first attempted ] conquest of the city, died and as his last request was buried there. | |||
| His resting place was venerated during ] times but |
His resting place was venerated during ] times but after the Latin rampage through Istanbul in the Fourth Crusade fell into an unkempt state along with many other Byzantine holy places. Seven centuries later the tomb was re-discovered by Aq-Shamsuddin the Sheikh of ]. | ||
| After the ] a tomb or 'Turbe' |
After the ] Sultan Mehmet ordered a tomb or 'Turbe' be constructed over Abu Ayyub's resting place and a ] constructed in his honour. The first major mosque to be built in Istanbul, it was surrounded by the traditional bath, school room and canteen complex, also the first of these to be built in Istanbul. | ||
| From that point on the area became something of a 'sacred place' and many ] officials wished to be buried at or near the site of Abu Ayyub's resting place. | From that point on the area became something of a 'sacred place', more mosques, prayer schools and fountains were built and as many ] officials wished to be buried at or near the site of Abu Ayyub's resting place, the cemetery became one of Istanbul's most desirable final resting places. | ||
| The area |
The area ths grew and acquired a great deal of valuable sacred architecture, becoming a place where ] ] could be found alongside visiters both Turkish and foreign who came from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul to the area to enjoy the cooler air and fine view. | ||
| During the 17th and 18th centuries Istanbul grew as the fringes of the Ottoman empire became unsettled and Turkish communities from the Balkans and the Caucasus came to the city. During this period the Eyüp area became incorporated into the city and lost some of its spiritual air as factories were built along the Golden Horn. At the same time the industry and the growing population, as well as the continuing numbers of visitors to the holy places encouraged the growth of the shopping district around and behind the mosque; fish markets, dairy markets, people selling scriptures and prayer beads and gifts for children were all mixed in together. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | From the 19th century onwards the area the area took on a more 'working class' feel as wealthier residents of Istanbul preferred to buy housing on the Asian side of the city or further along the ] as the ] became increasingly polluted due to the industrial development. The industrial zone expanded as major roads were put through the Eyüp area and the market gardens and flower fields of Alibeyköy ddisappeared. | ||
| ⚫ | In recent years however, many of the factories have been closed or cleaned up and the district is busy trying to re-create its old image as an area of |
||
| ⚫ | In recent years however, many of the factories have been closed or cleaned up and the district is busy trying to re-create its old image as an area of spiritual calm and relaxation, not only in the mosques and the cemetery but also on the wooded hill above where Pierre Loti Kahvesi has a wonderful view along the Golden Horn all the way to Eminönü. | ||
| The Eyüp Sultan Mosque continues to draw tourists visiting İstanbul, as well as rather larger numbers of Turkish religious pilgrims. | The Eyüp Sultan Mosque continues to draw tourists visiting İstanbul, as well as rather larger numbers of Turkish religious pilgrims. | ||
Revision as of 21:12, 16 February 2006
Eyüp is a district of the city of İstanbul, up where the Kağıthane and Alibey streams meet at the head of the Golden Horn.
Although this area lies outside the city walls there was always a village here, as the two streams provided plenty of fresh water, and in the Byzantine period there was a church in the village and later a monastery (which was built on the steep hill behind today's Eyüp Camii).
The name Eyüp comes from Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the companion and stadard bearer of the Prophet Muhammad. He came to Istanbul with the Arab army during the first attempted Muslim conquest of the city, died and as his last request was buried there.
His resting place was venerated during Byzantine times but after the Latin rampage through Istanbul in the Fourth Crusade fell into an unkempt state along with many other Byzantine holy places. Seven centuries later the tomb was re-discovered by Aq-Shamsuddin the Sheikh of Mehmed II.
After the conquest of Constantinople Sultan Mehmet ordered a tomb or 'Turbe' be constructed over Abu Ayyub's resting place and a Mosque constructed in his honour. The first major mosque to be built in Istanbul, it was surrounded by the traditional bath, school room and canteen complex, also the first of these to be built in Istanbul.
From that point on the area became something of a 'sacred place', more mosques, prayer schools and fountains were built and as many Ottoman officials wished to be buried at or near the site of Abu Ayyub's resting place, the cemetery became one of Istanbul's most desirable final resting places.
The area ths grew and acquired a great deal of valuable sacred architecture, becoming a place where Dervish Tekkes could be found alongside visiters both Turkish and foreign who came from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul to the area to enjoy the cooler air and fine view.
During the 17th and 18th centuries Istanbul grew as the fringes of the Ottoman empire became unsettled and Turkish communities from the Balkans and the Caucasus came to the city. During this period the Eyüp area became incorporated into the city and lost some of its spiritual air as factories were built along the Golden Horn. At the same time the industry and the growing population, as well as the continuing numbers of visitors to the holy places encouraged the growth of the shopping district around and behind the mosque; fish markets, dairy markets, people selling scriptures and prayer beads and gifts for children were all mixed in together.
From the 19th century onwards the area the area took on a more 'working class' feel as wealthier residents of Istanbul preferred to buy housing on the Asian side of the city or further along the Bosphorus as the Golden Horn became increasingly polluted due to the industrial development. The industrial zone expanded as major roads were put through the Eyüp area and the market gardens and flower fields of Alibeyköy ddisappeared.
In recent years however, many of the factories have been closed or cleaned up and the district is busy trying to re-create its old image as an area of spiritual calm and relaxation, not only in the mosques and the cemetery but also on the wooded hill above where Pierre Loti Kahvesi has a wonderful view along the Golden Horn all the way to Eminönü.
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque continues to draw tourists visiting İstanbul, as well as rather larger numbers of Turkish religious pilgrims.
| Districts of Istanbul | ||
|---|---|---|
| European side |  | |
| Asian side | ||