Why are there so many cats in İstanbul

The abundance of cats you encounter on the streets of İstanbul is deeply connected to the city's history, geography, and the culture of its people. Since the Ottoman period, cats have held a special place in İstanbul. The city's function as a port and commercial center necessitated the use of cats for rat control in warehouses and storage facilities. Over time, this practical relationship transformed into an emotional bond.

Today, these cats living alongside millions of İstanbul's residents have become part of the city itself. Just as we see cats being fed and cared for under the Galata Bridge, on the streets of Balat, and in the squares of Sultanahmet, the local people and merchants also look after them regularly. The affection shown to cats in Turkish culture makes such a dense cat population in İstanbul a natural occurrence.

As visitors, observing these cats offers us an opportunity to understand the real life of İstanbul. They are not merely street animals, but a part of the city's character and story.