Turkey is the Republic of Cats: it is well known that this country has a special affection for these animals, which are revered, adored and cared for to the utmost by the Turks. Names such as Tombili or Gli (the famous cat of Hagia Sophia) enjoyed great popularity for years. Now, another cat from Istanbul has become a new viral sensation on the internet after catching the attention of tourists visiting the city.
Popularly known asŞişman Kedi (“Fat Cat”) or simply Dombik (“Chubby”), Cengiz the cat has become a veritable celebrity in the Turkish metropolis, to the extent that he attracts visitors from various countries. Many use navigation apps to track him down, wander the streets looking for him and, when they find him, take the opportunity to take selfies and photos with him and feed him. His fame is such that some locals even point out to tourists the places where they might try to find him.
A regular in the area – and particularly at a nearby hotel where he often rests – the cat is constantly fed by both residents and visitors, a fact that has contributed to his weight gain. According to those who know him, he used to eat salmon, although he now also enjoys foods such as pizza. Local shopkeepers say he spends his days roaming freely through the streets and is now one of Istanbul’s best-known cats.
Now, Istanbul’s famous chubby cat has sparked even more interest among foreign tourists after going viral on social media, and some have even added him to Google Maps as yet another tourist attraction in Istanbul.
According to reports in the Turkish media, a couple of foreign tourists searched for the location marked on Google Maps until they reached a spot in the Beyoğlu district – next to the Şişhane metro station – where the animal usually hangs out. After taking several photos with the cat – notable for its plump appearance and friendly demeanour – they shared the images on social media alongside the message “The chubby cat of Istanbul. You don’t need a booking to visit him”: a post that immediately went viral, turning this cat into a genuine international phenomenon.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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