The complex is located in Eyüp on the shores of the Golden Horn. The mosque, mausoleum and hamam of the complex still stand today, but the medresse and soup kitchen for the poor no longer survive.
The first structure built m the complex was the tomb of Ebu Eyyub El-Ensari a "sahabe", or companion of the Prophet Mohammed. He is said to have hosted Mohammed the first time he journeyed to Medina. Known among the people as "Eyüp Sultan", he is believed to have been martyred during the siege of Istanbul by the Umayyad people m 668- 669. It is believed that after the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottomans, the site was revealed to Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror's teacher, Akşemseddin, in a dream. The Conqueror had a mausoleum built on the site.

In 1459 Sultan Mehmed, The Conqueror went on to build a mosque, a medresse, a soup kitchen and a hamam, so that the site became a full complex.
The first mosque built on the site was so badly damaged in the earthquake of 1776 that Sultan Selim III had to tear it down and rebuild it. A ceremony was held to reopen the mosque to worship in 1800. The mosque we see today is this second mosque built by Sultan Selim III.
The mosque has a mam dome 17. 50 meters in diameter and two minarets, built rather high according to the standards of 1723. The interior of the mosque is very plainly decorated, differentiating it from other mosques of the period,
Eyup Mosque and tomb of Eyyuh El-Ensari is a point of although the gilding decorating the attraction especially for the Muslim visitors. mosque niche IS eye-catching.
The most distinctive aspect of the complex is its mausoleum. It is octagonal in shape and has a single dome. The inner and outer walls of the mausoleum are covered with glazed tiles, and the lid of the sarcophagus is decorated with symbolic inscriptions. The protective shields in front of the sarcophagus arc each a masterpiece, crafted out of pure silver.
The hamam, which is also part of the complex, is one of the oldest Ottoman hamams still surviving today. The medresse and soup kitchen, however, are no longer standing. Another feature of the Eyüp Sultan Complex is that for hundreds of years people wanted to be buried near the tomb of Eyyub el-Ensari. As a result, the complex is now surrounded by graves and tombs. (s2)

This is one of the greatest people-experiences in the city, allowing you to be surrounded by Turks in humble mood and attire, each looking for a spiritual fulfillment. Ayyub El Ansari, called Eyüp Sultan by the Turks, was the Prophet Muhammad's standard-bearer and companion. He died outside the city walls during the siege of Constantinople by Muslim Arabs, and was buried where he fell. Centuries later, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror built a mosque and mausoleum at the location of Eyüp's grave. Over the years, the mosque became an important religious center and destination for Muslim pilgrims. Throughout history, this is where new Ottoman sultans received their sword of sovereignty as they took the throne (comparable to being crowned). The complex you see today dates from the 1800s.
The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is crowded with locals at all times of the day. Crowds increase at prayer times—particularly on Fridays for the midday service—and for religious festivals. Year-round, especially from late spring to early fall, you'll see boys in fancy circumcision outfits, and newlyweds in their gowns and tuxedoes, here for a prayer. In the mausoleum, you'll see people praying in front of the tomb of Eyüp Sultan, as well as at the glass screen covering a supposed footprint of the Prophet Muhammad. There are no prayers to the dead in Islam, but it is a tradition to invoke the names of the deceased (such as Eyüp Sultan or Muhammad) to give prayers more weight with Allah.
Because this is a religious shrine, dress respectfully, even if you're not going into the mosque—women should cover their hair with a scarf; men and women should cover their shoulders and knees.
Cost, Hours, Location: Free, generally open daily one hour after sunrise until one hour before sunset, closed to visitors five times a day for prayer, Cami-i Kebir Caddesi, Eyüp.
Getting There: From Eminönü in the Old Town, take bus #99 (Eminönü—Akşemseddin Mah.) to the Eyüp Sultan stop. There are alternative stops, so ask the driver or another passenger where to get off. Other buses that will get you there include #48B, #36CE, #399B, #399C, and #399D. (s3)

Mehmet the Conqueror built the original mosque on this site in 1458, five years after his conquest of Istanbul , in honour of Eyüp Ensari. That building fell into ruins, probably as a result of an earthquake, and the present mosque was completed in 1800, by Selim III .
The mosque's delightful inner courtyard is a garden in which two huge plane trees grow on a platform. This platform was the setting for the Girding of the Sword of Osman, part of a sultan's inauguration from the days of Mehmet the Conqueror,
The mosque itself is predominantly covered in gleaming white marble.
Opposite the mosque is the tomb of Eyiip Ensari himself, believed to have been killed during the first Arab siege of Constantinople in the 7th century . The tomb dates from the same period as the mosque and most of its decoration is in the Ottoman Baroque style. Both the outer wall of the tomb facing the mosque, and most of its interior, have an impressive covering of tiles, some of them from iznik . (s1)