15 Cute Cats Of Istanbul

Istanbul is a city of history and culture, and it is also full of cats. Walk its cobblestone streets and you’ll see them everywhere, as if they own the place.

Here are 15 of the cutest cats found around the city.

Credit: https://flic.kr/s/aHsj8iMEVP

Why Istanbul Loves Cats

• Historical and religious roots: Cats are revered in Islam. The hadith, which records the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, details his love for cats. It’s even said that he once cut off his sleeve rather than disturb a cat sleeping on his robe. Cats were historically guardians in the Islamic world, protecting libraries from mice and cities from rat-borne plagues.
• Part of the community: Feeding the cats at the High Court’s gardens was an ancient obligation, and in one recent story a cafe owner gave a cat an entire chicken drumstick. These cats aren’t mere strays but members of the community.
• Online fame: The cats of Istanbul have also taken over social media. An Instagram account dedicated to the Hagia Sofia Cat has over 119,000 followers.

Challenges for Cats In Istanbul

It’s not all easy for Istanbul’s cats. Away from the main tourist areas, they look less well fed. Catfights echo through the streets at night, and overpopulation remains a problem.

Turkey introduced an animal welfare law in 2004, but penalties for violations are limited to fines. Attitudes are changing, though. In 2023, Diyarbakır City built 200 wooden shelters for stray animals, and a law proposal could now make animal mistreatment a crime punishable by jail time.

A 2017 documentary titled “Kedi” follows a day in the life of Istanbul’s cats and shows the challenges they face as the city modernizes.

A Tradition Worth Keeping

Istanbul’s streets have long been a haven for cats, a tradition rooted in the city’s history and religion. Challenges remain, but the community’s affection for them keeps the cats from being just strays and makes them part of the city.