Frequently Asked Questions

The mosque is open for visits during all prayer times. The tomb can be visited from the morning prayer until the night prayer. The tomb may be briefly closed during Friday prayer times.

No, entrance to Eyup Sultan Mosque and Tomb is completely free. There is no fee or mandatory donation.

Weekday morning hours (09:00-11:00) are the quietest times. Fridays and weekends, especially afternoons, tend to be crowded. During Ramadan, evenings can also be busy.

Yes, there is a designated section for women in the mosque. The tomb can be visited without gender separation. Headscarves are required for women; headscarves are available at the mosque.

Eyup Sultan Tomb closes after the night prayer. In summer months, closing time is approximately 21:00-21:30, and in winter around 19:00-19:30. The tomb opens from the morning prayer. It may be briefly closed before Friday prayer.

Photography is prohibited inside the tomb. Visitors are kindly asked to follow this rule to maintain a peaceful environment for worship and prayer. In the mosque courtyard and outdoor areas, photography is permitted. The congregation should not be photographed during prayers.

Female visitors must wear a headscarf when entering the tomb. Additionally, clothing should cover shoulders and knees. Free headscarves and overgarments are available at the entrance. The tomb can be visited without ablution, but having ablution is recommended.

Current prayer times are displayed live at the top of our website. You can also find detailed information on our Visit page. Times are updated according to the Presidency of Religious Affairs data.

Friday prayer is performed at noon time. The sermon begins approximately 30 minutes before the call to prayer. Due to crowding on Fridays, arriving early is recommended.

Yes, throughout Ramadan, Tarawih prayer is performed in congregation every night after the night prayer. A Tarawih prayer program with Quran recitation is implemented.

Yes, funeral prayers can be performed at Eyup Sultan Mosque after every obligatory prayer. An imam and congregation are always ready for funeral prayers.

Yes, Eyup Sultan Mosque is quite crowded during Friday prayers. Especially in spring and summer, the mosque fills up and the congregation extends to the courtyard and street. Arriving at least 1 hour early is recommended. In winter months, crowds are relatively smaller.

The women's section at Eyup Sultan Mosque is located on the balcony floor and offers a medium-sized area. During Friday prayers and religious holidays, the women's section can fill up, so arriving early is beneficial. The women's gallery is accessed via a separate staircase from the inner courtyard.

Throughout Ramadan, Tarawih prayer with Quran recitation is performed after the night prayer. Tarawih prayer is performed as 20 rakats in congregation. Each night, one juz of the Holy Quran is recited, completing the recitation by the 27th night of Ramadan. Tarawih prayer takes approximately 1.5-2 hours.

Hz. Khalid ibn Zayd Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) is buried here. He was the standard-bearer of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the host who welcomed him during the migration to Medina. He was martyred during the siege of Istanbul in 669.

Prayers at the tomb should be made quietly and peacefully. Surah Al-Fatiha is recited, greetings are given, and supplications are made to Allah. Speaking loudly and taking photographs inside the tomb should be avoided.

The mosque was first built in 1458 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror at the site of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari's tomb. It was damaged in the 1766 earthquake and rebuilt in 1800 by Sultan Selim III in its current form.

When Ottoman sultans ascended to the throne, they would gird the sword of Hz. Omar at Eyup Sultan Tomb. This ceremony was an important tradition symbolizing the sultan's legitimacy. The first ceremony began during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

Eyup Sultan Mosque has undergone numerous repairs and reconstructions throughout history. The first structure was built in 1458 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. It suffered heavy damage in the great earthquake of 1766 and was completely rebuilt during Sultan Selim III's reign in 1800. Various sultans carried out repairs and added structures in between.

The color green symbolizes the Prophet (pbuh) and paradise in Islamic tradition. The sarcophagi of companions and important Islamic figures are usually covered with green cloth. The green cover on Eyup Sultan's sarcophagus is renewed at regular intervals by the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Quranic verses and prayers are embroidered on the cover.

The silver railing (lattice) inside the tomb dates from the Sultan Selim III period (1789-1807). This railing was crafted by the finest silversmiths of the era. The railing features Baroque and Rococo style floral motifs and calligraphy. It is considered one of the most valuable works in Ottoman art history.

Metro: You can reach directly via the M7 line Eminonu-Eyupsultan services.
Bus: Routes 36CE, 39B, 44B, 48E provide access to Eyupsultan.
Sea: You can reach Eyup Pier via Golden Horn ferries.
Car: ISPARK parking lots are available around the mosque.

There are ISPARK parking lots around the mosque. However, finding parking can be difficult especially on weekends and religious holidays. If possible, public transportation should be preferred.

Yes, the mosque has wheelchair ramps and an elevator. Wheelchair access is available. Parking spaces near the mosque are reserved for disabled and elderly visitors.

There are pide restaurants, eateries and cafes around the mosque. You can take the cable car to Pierre Loti Hill. Eyupsultan Cemetery, Zal Mahmud Pasha Mosque and the historic bazaar are also among the places to visit.

There are several ISPARK parking lots around Eyup Sultan Mosque. The nearest parking lot is the Eyup ISPARK Parking Lot, located approximately 200 meters south of the mosque. On weekends and religious holidays, parking capacity fills up quickly. Alternatively, larger parking areas can be found in the Defterdar and Rami districts. Fees are determined according to ISPARK standard tariffs.

The nearest metro station is M7 Eyupsultan Station. This station is approximately 5-7 minutes walking distance from the mosque. The M7 line operates on the Mecidiyekoy-Mahmutbey and Eminonu-Eyupsultan route. Additionally, M11 Eyup Station can be used as an alternative.

The Eyup-Pierre Loti Cable Car Line operates every day from 08:00-23:00. One-way travel time is approximately 3-4 minutes. The cable car can be used with Istanbulkart. It may be temporarily closed from time to time due to maintenance. You can check the current status at iett.istanbul.

Yes, religious marriage ceremonies (imam nikah) are performed at Eyup Sultan Mosque. A civil marriage must be completed first. For a religious ceremony, you need to apply to the mosque's imam office and make an appointment. The ceremony is usually held outside of obligatory prayer times. No fee is charged for the ceremony.

For the naming ceremony for newborns, it is sufficient to apply to the mosque's imam office. The imam recites the adhan in the baby's right ear and the iqamah in the left ear, then announces the name. The ceremony is brief and free of charge. No documents or appointments are required; simply come outside of prayer times.

Aqiqah sacrifice organization is not directly provided by the mosque. However, butchers and sacrifice facilities around Eyup Sultan offer this service. After having your aqiqah sacrifice performed, you can come to the mosque for prayers. You can get assistance from mosque staff regarding the distribution of the meat.

It is sufficient to apply to the mosque's imam office for the Quran completion prayer. The completion prayer is usually held after the afternoon or night prayer. It is recommended to make an appointment in advance. Congregational completion prayers are especially organized during Ramadan and the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr). No fee is charged.

There are many restaurants offering traditional Turkish cuisine around Eyup Sultan. In the mosque square, there are venues serving pide, lahmacun and kebab. On Pierre Loti Hill, there are cafes with Golden Horn views. There are also dessert shops and pastry shops in Eyup Bazaar. Especially oven kebab and meat doner are among the famous flavors of the area.

You can reach Pierre Loti Hill in two ways: By cable car (departs from Eyup Pier Street, takes approximately 3-4 minutes) or on foot (uphill road through Eyup Sultan Cemetery, approximately 15-20 minutes). The cable car operates with Istanbulkart. At the top, there is the unique view of the Golden Horn, cafes and the historic cafe named after Pierre Loti.

There are numerous souvenir shops around Eyup Sultan Mosque. In Eyup Bazaar right across from the mosque, prayer beads, skullcaps, headscarves, religious books, calligraphy paintings and Ottoman-motif products are sold. Handmade prayer beads and calligraphy artworks are among the most popular souvenirs. Prices are quite reasonable and bargaining is possible.

There are various activities for children around Eyup Sultan. The cable car ride is an enjoyable experience for children. The park areas on Pierre Loti Hill are suitable for children. Walking along the Golden Horn and feeding pigeons are among children's favorite activities. Additionally, the Eyup Sultan Toy Museum is an interesting venue for children.