The world-famous bustling metropolis can be called "a paradise for cat suckers". There are also cat statues in the city.

The world-famous bustling metropolis can be called the "paradise for cat suckers". There are also cat statues in the city

Without cats, Istanbul would lose part of its soul.

And when a chubby "big orange" eyes narrow into slits and lazily turns over to reveal its soft belly to you, that is the warmest greeting Istanbul gives us.

This world-famous bustling metropolis can be called a "cat sucker's paradise". It belongs to humans as well as cats. Perhaps many people are still very unfamiliar with Istanbul, but as long as its old name is mentioned, I believe everyone will suddenly understand.

"Byzantium, New Rome, Constantinople..." Even though it is now a modern metropolis spanning Europe and Asia, these familiar nicknames still silently highlight its glorious past.

Istanbul was founded in 660 BC. Today, the urban area has expanded to the north of the Golden Horn, with a total area of ​​5,343 square kilometers and a population of more than 15 million.

Tourists from other places often encounter an embarrassing thing here, that is, they cannot buy what they want even if they have money. Don't doubt this sentence, because whenever you see the silk scarf you like being pressed under the paws of a sleeping lazy cat, the first thing the boss usually says is "You can choose another one, or you can go shopping and come back later. Please don't wake it up now..."

If you insist on choosing this. A silk scarf, the patient merchant will continue to persuade, "You know? The prophet Muhammad, he would rather cut off his robes than wake up a sleeping cat." No one knows how many cats there are in Istanbul. They only know that there are no so-called stray cats here, because they are everyone's pets.

Meow people have lived here for thousands of years and have witnessed the rise and fall of this legendary city. The Bosphorus receives ships and passengers from different countries and regions every day, including of course the cats that work diligently on the ship. They not only bring joy to the sailors, but also guard the kitchen in the dark.

In the mid-eighth century, Istanbul, also known as Constantinople, encountered an unprecedented rat infestation. In order to protect the city, people introduced cats from all over the world, and from then on they formed an indissoluble bond with this willful and naughty little guy.

When passing through narrow alleys, people are often startled by cats that suddenly jump out. You can easily find an abandoned building by following their footsteps.

Cats will regard this as their home and playground, and will chase and play in front of the broken glass windows. You don’t need to worry about its life, because the surrounding residents will often bring water and food to take care of these little guys.

Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Underground Cistern and other places are not only the most popular tourist destinations for tourists, but also the favorite places for cats. Although tourists come and go every day, the cats here are not afraid of strangers at all. You can pet them as much as you want even if you meet them for the first time.

No matter where you go, you can always see the shadow of cats in Istanbul. Some of the lazy cats simply lie on the seats in front of the dessert shop, attracting tourists who can't help but come up and pet them. The residents of the city do not restrict the freedom of cats, because even domestic cats have the dream of "traveling around the world".

Take a car and drive along the Galata Bridge. After crossing the Bosporus, you can come to Beyoglu, which is surrounded by mountains and rivers. There is a climbing staircase here that is painted in rainbow colors by the locals. Let’s call it the Rainbow Staircase.

Whenever people leave food and water on the stairs, nearby cats will rush out to grab the food. Under the leadership of their respective cats, they will drive away their compatriots. The "defeated" party can only continue to look for scattered food in the surrounding area.

Going up the rainbow staircase is the bustling Taksim Square. There are a lot of cats living here, and they especially like to gather in some narrow alleys. Underneath their cute appearance, they all have extremely wild hearts. Whether they are competing for the territory under the green shade or the beautiful female cat, everything here depends on their strength.

There are several very famous cats in Istanbul, and there is even a statue built specifically for them in the city. The name of this cat is Tombili. Its "famous makeup photos" have made cat lovers all over the world feel extremely comfortable, and it was even named "the most comfortable cat in the world". Later, when Tombili passed away, the local government invited a sculptor to build a bronze statue based on the prototype. The significance of this move is to remind people that no matter how busy life is, they should occasionally stop and enjoy the present life.

Pakize is another famous cat. It is said that it runs to the ATM in front of the bank every day, hangs its body on the guardrail, and waits for passers-by to bring dried fish. If no one is willing to give it dried fish, it will hang on the railing and refuse to come down. Over time, the locals call it "the most willful cat in the world."

It is undeniable that these cats have now integrated into Istanbul and become a part of the city. Many people can't understand why such a modern metropolis is willing to accept these naughty guys. Maybe this is the longest confession of love. Since 1979, Istanbul has jointly developed the "Ancient City Preservation Plan" with UNESCO. Buildings over 50 years old are not allowed to be demolished without approval. This is why cats can have a comfortable living space.

"Those who do not love animals cannot love people." Local residents are looking at the world with a friendly eye, and this is how Istanbul becomes more humane and charming.

The world is so big, is it too lonely to be alone? I look forward to chatting with you all about the world in the comment area.