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The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was built all the way back in 537 and has been many things, from a Greek Orthodox basilica to a Catholic cathedral, an Ottoman imperial mosque, and a museum. In 2020, the President of Turkey issued a decree, ordering to reclassify Hagia Sophia back into a mosque. This decision was controversial, invoking condemnation from UNESCO, the World Council of Churches, and many international leaders. But no matter what happens to the place, one cat will always call it home.
Gli is a beautiful European shorthair with slightly crossed-eyes and an attitude of a royal. She has been living within the centuries-old walls for most of her sixteen years of life, and has become a favorite among all the tourists that pass through.
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AnnieLaurie Burke 5 years ago
Looks as if she is receiving guests, but only because duty calls.
Gli even has her own Instagram and she has Umut Bahceci running it. She too was born in Istanbul. "I'm in love with this city," Bahceci told Bored Panda. "I've seen more than 20 countries and so many beautiful cities but deep in my heart, I believe that Istanbul is the Queen of all cities and Hagia Sophia is the crown of Istanbul."
Bahceci had been a tour guide at Hagia Sophia while it was still a museum and said her love for it was the biggest reason why she chose this career.
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She said Istanbul is famous for its stray cats. People have even been making documentaries about them. "It was normal to see cats both around and in Hagia Sophia, but there was something special about this one. I saw a light in her from the very beginning of our relationship. The way she poses, the way she walks, the way she behaves is totally different from other cats, even her sister Kizim."
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Elisabeth Moriarty 5 years ago
Gil you lucky girl I have never had a bed and a duvet of my own my whole life always had to share but you go girl xx
"One day, I saw her in the newspaper in a photo with Obama and President Erdoğan," Bahceci said. "It was then that I learned her name." Perfectly describing the cat's character, Gli means 'union of love'.
As Bahceci started to watch her more and more, she realized that Gli really brought everyone together. Whatever their religion, the color of their skin or gender was, they all smiled when they met Gli.
"I created an Instagram account for Gli so that I could collect and keep her photos in one place. Eventually, people slowly started sending me their pictures of her," Bahceci said.
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AnnieLaurie Burke 5 years ago
Aha! So, the queen can be a clown when she thinks no one is looking!
If she was to describe Gli's personality with one word, it would be 'queen'. Gli loves to pose for the cameras but if Hagia Sophia becomes a bit too crowded for her, the cat might hide in a quiet corner. "In winter, she loves to be in front of the light projectors because they do a good job keeping her warm."
The whole staff is her family but Bahceci wanted to thank archeologist Defne Bali, the vice director of Hagia Sophia, for taking care of Gli from the moment she was born.
Currently, there are no plans to relocate Gli. She will continue to live in Hagia Sophia, the place where she was born and grew up in, even after its conversion to a mosque.
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AnnieLaurie Burke 5 years ago
The Prophet would approve. He was a great fan of cats, and especially loved his Muezza.
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Laura Campos 5 years ago
Yes, it's the Hagia Sophia, a beautiful Cathedral of the Catholic faith.
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Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
A very privileged cat butt which, as all cat parents know so very well, has touched every accessible inch of the place—-bringing it the true glory of a sanctuary.
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Opazi Marcha 5 years ago
The queen, is superior. The queen, is adorable. The queen, is not amused.
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Caroline Overill 5 years ago
Help. I'm being kidnapped. (catnap being a whole different thing_
Elisabeth Moriarty 5 years ago
Once you put me back on the ground I am just going right back to where I was slave
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Mare Freed 5 years ago
There's a kitty who's sure, all that glitters is gold...
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Anca Diana 5 years ago
I think this is when she was younger. I can't believe I met this cat 12 years ago and she's still going. This is my picture of her in 2008, still the derpiest cat I have ever seen (and I am a cat lover and I frequently look at cats pics) S6000755-5...6754ec.jpg 
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Hilary Mol 5 years ago
Is it just me, or does the pose & the lighting remind anyone else of the whole Glamor Shots fad of the 80's & early 90's?
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Squirrelflightisawesome 5 years ago
Wait a minute....... Are da hoomans taking a picture of her Majesty? Whyyyyyyyyyy
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Hilary Mol 5 years ago
This might be my favorite photo of the lot. This is pure cat bliss, and the lighting is gorgeous.
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What do you think ?
Eunice Probert 5 years ago
I watched a programme on tv once about Sofia Hagia. Apparently there have been several cats living there and guardianship of it goes from mother to daughter. You could tell in the photos that there were two cats. One older and chunkier, and the other obviously much younger.
Titas Burinskas 5 years ago
I don't know whether there's a god in a church, but at least I know that there are cats in one of them.
ƒιѕн 5 years ago (edited)
European Shorthair. You do realize pics change positions as they are up/down voted. So what you saw as #13 is most likely not #13 anymore.
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Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Thank you for showing photos of the rest of the building. I just realized that when I visited this place, I only took photos of the cat >..<
Eunice Probert 5 years ago
I watched a programme on tv once about Sofia Hagia. Apparently there have been several cats living there and guardianship of it goes from mother to daughter. You could tell in the photos that there were two cats. One older and chunkier, and the other obviously much younger.
Titas Burinskas 5 years ago
I don't know whether there's a god in a church, but at least I know that there are cats in one of them.
ƒιѕн 5 years ago (edited)
European Shorthair. You do realize pics change positions as they are up/down voted. So what you saw as #13 is most likely not #13 anymore.
Load More Replies... Mme de Poppadom 5 years ago
Thank you for showing photos of the rest of the building. I just realized that when I visited this place, I only took photos of the cat >..<
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