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Eyup

The name Eyüp comes from Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the companion and standard bearer of the Prophet Muhammad. Abu Ayyub came to Constantinople with the Arab army during the first attempted Muslim conquest of the city, died, and as his last request was buried there. Seven centuries later, during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the tomb was said to have been re-discovered by Ak Şemsettin, the spiritual mentor of Mehmed II.

After the city was taken, Sultan Mehmet ordered a tomb (türbe) constructed over Abu Ayyub's resting place and a mosque constructed in his honor. The first major mosque to be built in Istanbul, it was surrounded by a traditional complex including a bath, school, and kitchen.