Istanbul: A Feline’s Paradise
Pensive, Kennedy Avenue
As I wander around the neighborhood of Beyoğlu, I point my camera and snap some pictures of the magnificent Galata Tower, then I spot a cat. I come closer, caress him until he purrs and seems really content, then I move back to the tower, before spotting another cat. I cross the Bosphorus to set foot on Asia, marveling the view of Seraglio Point where the minarets of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque seem to pierce the sky, then I see a cat. I reach her and give some strokes on her back and neck. She seems to relish every single touch, constantly purring until I continue walking.
Legend has it that one day Muhammad awoke to the sound of adhan, the Islamic call for prayer. When he was getting ready to dress himself, he found his cat – Muezza – sleeping on his robe. Instead of waking her up, he chose to cut his robe and leave a patch on which Muezza was sleeping.
Although there is no clear evidence of the story nor a reference on cat as a special animal in Islam, but many Muslims pass the story on over generations and across continents – Istanbul is no exception. Despite staunchly secular, many Islamic traditions are still carried on and practiced by modern Turkish people. As the tradition dictates, cats generally receive better treatment than other animals. It is not hard to find well-fed clean cats in Istanbul – touristy places, cobblestone alleys, seaside walkways, parks benches are some of the places where cats are easily found.
Sitting on a bench at the other side of Seraglio Point, next to Kennedy Avenue, I take my time to breathe the fresh air from the Sea of Marmara. The sun is setting and a cornucopia of stray cats are foraging for food. In this part of the city the felines are less fortunate than their counterparts in Sultanahmet area, albeit slightly. However none of them looks skinny – a molly even nurtures her spry kittens between the rocks on the shore.
A fierce-looking man stands on his big motorbike. His leather jacket and shabby bandanna attest his stern look. Just before he rides his iron horse, he grabs a small portion of food from nearby hawker. He then lowers his hand and feed the cats. This is Istanbul, where cats are special.
Curious, Beyoğlu
Rise and Shine, Sultanahmet
Celebrity on a Red Carpet, Sultanahmet
Dreaming, Kennedy Avenue
Young and Playful, Sultanahmet
Vigilant and Gallant, Topkapı
Furry and Proud, Dolmabahçe
Self-manicure, Dolmabahçe
Scandalous, Üsküdar
The Kind Eyes, Beyoğlu
Alert, Sultanahmet (left); Chin Up, Chora Church (right)
Blue Cat, Grand Bazaar
Avenue of the Cat-Stars, Beyoğlu
Cute kitty!!
They surely are!
Those cat looks so “ginuk-ginuk” mas. Wanna take them home! :3
Honestly I have no idea what “ginuk-ginuk” means.
But I’m assuming it has something to do with cuteness or such. So yes, it’s hard not to fall in love with them.
Hahaha.. Yup! It’s a Javanese phrase to name something that tubby and cute :3
What a cool post! Love the photos!
Thanks Alyssa! Since you love European castles I think Istanbul should be on your list!
The cats are nice additions to the already beautiful city.
wonderful post! one of my favorite parts of pompeii was the dogs! sounds like i need to make it to istanbul
Thanks Annie! I haven’t been to Pompeii, but I think I should put it on my wishlist not only for its historical places, but also for the dogs.
Remind me that to get a bigger backpack for October so I can smuggle some of them home. AAaagh, so cute!!
Hahaha, yea I think you should. Cuteness all over the city!
Reblogged this on Voices and Visions and commented:
About the cat’s in Istanbul, by Bama….
Interesting! Wondering if some of these cats have ‘masters’.
I’m not sure about that as I didn’t see any with a neck strap. I wish I could take one back to Indonesia.
wow !! good pictures!
спасибо!
Fabulous shots Bama! Adore the first two and also little kind eyes
Thanks again Madhu! I think I could spend the entire day just playing with the cats. They’re so fluffy!
Obviously the cutest post you’ve ever written. Now I envy you so much because you can play with all those adorable cats. Why didn’t you bring one for me? huh. Oh btw, love the last paragraph. It’s always heartwarming when I hear a story about fellow animal lover
And the first comment ever from you. I can see why
One day you have to make your way to Istanbul. Those cats are absolutely adorable! Thanks for dropping by Tra!
awwwww, lucukkk >.<
I love the story of Muezza. Funny thing is when I was in Istanbul I never saw any cats!!!
Wow, that’s really bizarre! I thought it would be effortless to spot a cat in Istanbul.
Yeah…I am looking back at my pictures right now to see how can I miss it…so bizarre. Then again I went over 10 years ago!!!
Very original post. Loved it!
Thanks Jodi! Actually I was inspired by a well-known blogger who visited Istanbul much earlier than me. She wrote about the cats and that made me even more curious of the city.
Hi. Nice post up you have there. The cats are cute and i love your captions. I was smiling while reading it! Good job! 😻
Hi Chris! Thanks for dropping by. When I wrote the captions, I was thinking of something unusual.
I love the story of Muezza!!
. The cats are everywhere in the Middle East and they are just so, so amazing. They just belong there. However, its sad to see the poor suffering and hungry, thirsty Egyptian cats (they used to be worshipped once upon the time!!) and also I saw a lot of sick, dying cats in Meknes, Maroko. It breaks my heart. I love them.
Hi Katka! I didn’t know that there are a lot of malnourished cats in Egypt considering how it was once worshiped, as you said. But probably it’s also because of the hardship the country is undergoing now. There was one time when I saw pictures of slain cats in Mali, and that really broke my heart. However it won’t stop me from visiting the country one day, given the circumstances would allow me.
The cats in Egypt have been suffering for a long time probably. The interesting thing is, that their faces are a bit different than other streets cats – there is even a book about it. Different breed or something. How can anyone kill them, I dont understand.
Not a fan of cat but started living with one here in my new home, so they are kinda cute aren’t they?! Love the pictures!
Hi Aggy! So are you more of a dog person? Well, as now you have a cat your love to your cat might grow over time.
Thanks for dropping by!
wonderful! I love cats and these pictures are fantastic!
Vielen dank Julie! Have you been to Istanbul before? If you haven’t, you definitely need to put it on your list.
Love your pics and Istanbul truly is run by cats! It was one of the (many) things that stood out to me and endeared me to loving the city! The cats have so much attitude as well, they know they run the place. http://ajumbleofletters.com/2012/08/11/istanbul/ if you scroll down you will be able to see the shot I took of one cat chilling out on a motorbike! just awesome!
Thanks Kirsty! The cats might not be the kings of the jungle, but in Istanbul they are the kings of the city! I love your shot of that cat sitting on a motorbike. It reminds me of the cat that I had years ago who liked to chill on my dad’s car.
I am totally a dog person, but I have to admit that those cats looks cute. I especially love the black one with white stripe around the neck. And, I suppose you experienced cuteness overload when you were there, am I right?
I did! Imagine yourself in a foreign city and surrounded by cute dogs. That’s how I felt!
Hi Bama, you know I heard several people talking about the ubiquitous cats in Istanbul. Not sure if they ust proliferated the last few years. I don’t’ recall seing a single one when I was there in 1999! Anyway, they look so adorable fin your lovely shots.
Oh really? Maybe they did, because apparently some people didn’t notice such many cats back then when they visited Istanbul. Thanks Marisol!
Wow.. haha.. This is not dirty cats.. It is very cute, perhaps the cats are not naughty
Actually most of them are quite tame and it’s easy to put your hands on them. They surely look well-fed.
meow)
What a fun series; the closing shot is quite fitting.
Thanks Tricia! I love cats so much and I only realized how playful their pictures can be after I returned home.
a very crispy writing and nice pics.. I can imagine how these cats live happily ever after there…
Hi Erny!
Thanks for your lovely words. I’m visiting Taiwan in a few days’ time and I just learned that there’s a town in the country which is populated by a large number of cats. If only I had more time.
you should consider Indonesia… you will find that our land is a paradise!! it’s true, dude..
Halo Mbak Erny,
Being an Indonesian myself I haven’t seen much of the country. But within a few years’ time I’m planning to set foot on more places in the country, especially in the east.
Cute post! I wish the strays in Singapore looked that healthy!
Thanks Mavis! When I returned to Jakarta I felt bad for the stray cats as well. They look so malnourished compared to the ones in Istanbul.
i never know there are so many cats in instanbul
, makes me want to visit this town 
Hi Fahmi!
I also read that there are also so many cats in some Greek cities and towns. Maybe you can visit both countries in one trip.
love all cats