‘Catstanbul’: Ottoman Legacy Leaves Istanbul Ruled by 250,000 Street Cats

ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE — In the sprawling, bustling metropolis of Istanbul—a city of over 15 million people—a softer, quieter narrative is being written daily by an estimated quarter of a million stray cats. These felines, earning the city the affectionate nickname “Catstanbul,” are not merely strays but are considered a unique hybrid of pets and community residents, taken care of by local neighborhoods in a tradition that spans centuries.

“Istanbul cats are, on the whole, neither pets nor strays,” explains Marcel Heijnen, photographer and author of City Cats of Istanbul, noting a reverence he has not witnessed elsewhere.

The city’s nickname, ‘Catstanbul’, is widely used by feline fanciers around the world

A Legacy from the Ottoman Empire

The deep devotion to these animals traces back to Istanbul’s history as the heart of the Ottoman Empire. The relationship began with practicality, as cats protected stored food, valuable manuscripts, and sea-faring merchant ships from vermin.

Crucially, local foundations during the Ottoman period ensured stray animals were cared for. This led to the creation of a full-time profession: mancacı—literally, a “cat sitter”—tasked with ensuring the city’s street cats were fed, a role that cemented the community’s responsibility for the animals.

Istanbul is home to an estimated 250,000 stray cats, who wander freely through mosques, markets and neighbourhood courtyards

Modern, Sophisticated Care Systems

Today, that ancient tradition is upheld by a modern, community-backed infrastructure. Fatih Dağlı, co-founder of the Cat Museum Istanbul, highlights the sophisticated care system:

Each municipality operates a veterinary department that provides free neutering services for street cats. Private clinics often offer discounted services, with residents pooling resources to cover vet bills.

Locals happily coexist with the cats, leaving out food and water and treating them as part of the community

Shopkeepers regularly offer scraps, and A-frame wooden “cat houses” are common sights in hillside neighbourhoods. Food and water bowls wait outside markets and metro stations, maintained by locals acting like “street guardians.”

The cats, therefore, live what Heijnen calls a surprisingly comfortable life, seen often lounging in mosques, markets, and tourist hubs like Sultanahmet Square—home to the famous tabby, Sulo.

Feeding strays is a long-standing tradition in Istanbul, and many shopkeepers regularly offer scraps to neighbourhood cats

Feline Ambassadors and Tranquility

For many visitors, the cats serve as unofficial tourist ambassadors. They appear everywhere, from wooden benches near the Galata Tower to seawalls along the Bosphorus, offering surprising moments of calm amid the city’s chaotic bustle.

As Heijnen notes, when an Istanbul cat chooses your lap for a nap, the hard, noisy metropolis transforms into a “softer, more pleasant attack on the senses,” a testament to what is possible when humans and animals peacefully share their space and resources.