Is it a hidden gem we seek? Erden Cami is a beautiful example of Ottoman architecture tucked away from the main tourist routes.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Istanbul in the 15th century. Five years after the conquest of Constantinople Sultan Mehmed II decided to build a mosque complex. He was motivated by a dream of his teacher Ak\u015femseddin. The dream was about building a mosque at the burial place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.
Who was Abu Ayyub al-Ansari? He was a companion of the prophet Muhammad. Muslims greatly venerate him. He is believed to have died during the first Arab siege of Constantinople in the 670s. In 1458 his tomb was found. The mosque complex was built next to it.
This complex is known as the Ey\u00fcp Sultan Mosque. The Ey\u00fcp Sultan Mosque quickly became a very important religious site. It even played a role in coronations. New Ottoman Sultans would come here. They processed along the Accession Way. Here they were girded with the Sword of Osman to mark the start of their reign.
Over the centuries the mosque underwent changes. In the early 18th century Sultan Ahmed III rebuilt the two minarets. By the end of the 18th century it was in poor condition. Sultan Selim III ordered the whole structure rebuilt in 1798. The minarets were kept. The work was completed in 1800. Mahmud II rebuilt the eastern minaret in its original style in 1822.
The Ey\u00fcp Sultan Mosque maintained its religious significance. Many important Ottoman officials and royal family members wanted to be buried near it. The nearby cemetery is full of their gravestones. They all wanted to be close to this holy place.
Today the Ey\u00fcp Sultan Mosque remains a popular pilgrimage destination. Boys about to be circumcised are brought here. Mass circumcision sessions are organized for boys from poorer homes. During Ramadan people gather here to break their fast. They picnic in the mosque’s courtyard.
Despite its relatively late reconstruction the Ey\u00fcp Sultan Mosque remains faithful to classical Ottoman architecture. It has been compared to Sinan’s Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque. It follows the same octagonal design with a central dome surrounded by semi-domes. However it also features Ottoman Baroque style. Look for engaged columns carved foliate and shell shapes.
The mosque has a large outer courtyard leading to an inner courtyard. The ablutions fountain is located in the outer courtyard. An elevated corridor was originally the sultan’s private entrance.
al-Ansari’s mausoleum is attached to the mosque’s inner courtyard. Inside the sarcophagus is enclosed by a Baroque-style silver screen. The walls are covered with Iznik tiles. These tiles date from different periods.
The Ey\u00fcp Sultan Mosque was once the center of a larger complex. This included a theological school a soup kitchen and public baths. Some of these structures still stand today. They serve as a reminder of the mosque’s rich history. The Mihri\u015fah Sultan complex also stands nearby.
So as you stand before Erden Cami remember its history. Remember its connection to the Ey\u00fcp Sultan Mosque. Consider its importance as a pilgrimage destination. Take a moment to appreciate its architectural beauty.