Apart from learning about the geography of Eyüp, which symbolises the harmony between water (The Golden Horn), earth (historic Eyüp and the area out-side the city walls), and greenery (Silahtar - Sadabad - kemerburgaz), you will also learn why the place is considered sacred and is loved so much, thanks to the articles that we have chosen. At times you will wander along the roads of Eyiip under the guidance of a traveller from centuries ago, while at times you will admire the painted decorations inside an Ottoman mausoleum that has survived to our days. You will see how the past has led to the present and how the present will lead to the ; future.

While you study the Müslim Turkish identity hidden in these texts and betvveen the lines, vve shall be enjoying the fact that vve are sharing this district of ours vvith you. As human beings vvith (vve think) many points in common, vve vvill learn a lot from a detailed study of Eyüp.

If this volume, vvith vvhich vve have tried to explain, vvithin a per forte limited number of pages, the essential nature of Eyüp, has served the purpose of avvakening in you nevv curiosities and ques-tions, vve shall deem ourselves fortunate. VVe have tried to explain a great cultural and moral vvealth by explaining the vvay it is refleeted in Eyüp. The rest depends on you, dear readers. I thank you for your interest and congratulate ali those that have contributed to the making of this volume.
                                          With my respects,
                                              Ahmet GENÇ
                                                    Mayor

EYUP ,ISTANBUL'S RING GEM

       The following collection is a selection from the eight volumes collecting the papers presented during the symposia. The articles have been selected from among around four hundred and pro­vide us with a detailed map and an analysis of its composition, so to speak. Thanks to this selection you will learn about pre-conquest Eyüp, post-conquest Eyüp, Eyüp during the republic, contempo­rary Eyüp and the Eyiip of the future.