in 1899 Modern Eyüp was the site of a settlement already in the
Byzantine period, best known as
Kosmidion (). Its name derives from the local monastery of the Anargyroi (
Saints Cosmas and Damian), which was established in the fifth century. According to a later legend, it was founded by the
magister Paulinus, who was executed by
Theodosius II (r. 408–450) when the latter suspected him—erroneously—of having an affair with empress
Aelia Eudocia. In reality, however, the monastery was probably founded ca. 480 by Paulina, the mother of the general and failed usurper
Leontius. From her, the quarter was initially known as
ta Paoulines (τα Παυλίνης, "Paulina's [quarter]"). The monastery was of some importance in the sixth century: its abbots participated in synods of 518 and 536, a collection of miracles associated with its patron saints appeared, and the monastery received a major renovation as part of the building programme of
Justinian I (r. 527–565). In the meantime, industry, the growing population, and the continuing flow of pilgrims encouraged the growth of the shopping district around and behind the mosque. The streets behind had fish and dairy markets, shops, cafes and bars for residents of the area, while the courtyard of the mosque itself had people selling scriptures and prayer beads to visitors. From the mid-20th century onward, the area took on a more "working class" feel as wealthier residents of Istanbul preferred to buy housing on the Asian side of the city or along the
Bosphorus, since the Golden Horn was becoming increasingly polluted and unpleasant due to industrial development. The industrial zone expanded as major roads were built through the Eyüp area. The market gardens and flower fields of Alibeyköy disappeared.
Eyüp today .In recent years many of the factories have been closed or cleaned up, and it is possible to sit by the waterside. The area has also increasingly attracted
conservative Muslim families. The
Eyüp Sultan Mosque continues to draw tourists visiting Istanbul, as well as larger numbers of Turkish religious pilgrims. At
Friday prayer and throughout
Ramadan, the area is full of visitors from all over the city. Pilgrims to the mosque include a wide range of Muslims, especially before weddings or circumcisions. In recent years, a thriving market has grown around the mosque selling prayer mats, beads, dates from Saudi Arabia, scented oils, Islamic books, recordings of Koran recitation, and other items. On Fridays, a marching band plays Ottoman military music,
mehter, giving the area around the mosque a carnival atmosphere with an Islamic twist. In Ramadan, the area in front of the mosque is taken over by large tents where food is served at the evening
fast breaking. The main building of the 2010-established
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is situated in a historic building in Eyüp. A
gondola lift brings visitors from the shore of the Golden Horn up to the outdoor Pierre Loti Café (), a popular spot offering a panoramic view of the Golden Horn, named after the 19th-century
French writer
Pierre Loti (pseudonym of Julien Viaud), who wrote two novels based on his stay in Istanbul. ==Composition==