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Revision as of 15:15, 17 December 2005
Eyüp is a district of the city of İstanbul and sub-province of İstanbul Province
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.
Its name comes from Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the companion and stadard bearer of the Prophet Muhammad. He passed away during the first attempted Muslim conquest of the city and upon his last request was buried there.
His resting place was venerated during Byzantine times but later fell into an unkept state until it was re-discovered by Aq-Shamsuddin the Sheikh of Mehmed II.
After the conquest of Constantinople a tomb or 'Turbe' was constructed over Abu Ayyub's resting place and a Mosque constructed in his honour.
From that point on the area became something of a 'sacred place' and many Ottoman officials wished to be buried at or near the site of Abu Ayyub's resting place.
The area later developed into a small village 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.
In republican times the area the area took on a more 'working class' feel as wealthier residents of Istanbul prefered to buy housing on the Asian side of the city or further along the Bosphorus as the Golden Horn became increasingly polluted due to industrial development.
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 cafes and fine veiws of the city.
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque continues to draw tourists visiting İstanbul, as well as rather larger numbers of Turkish religious pilgrims.
| Districts of Istanbul | ||
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| European side |  | |
| Asian side | ||