There’s A Cat Permanently Living In The Hagia Sophia In Istanbul (30 Pics)
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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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.
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."
"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.
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.
' come closer, and I'll let you know the mysteries of your future...'
Note: this post originally had 98 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
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.
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Eunice Probert haha
Such beautiful green eyes. Striking.
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.
Gil runs the Hagia Sophia like a boss.
She's a lovely little cat. I can see why she's so popular with tourists. She's so friendly!
What I want to see is the picture with Obama!
Friendly, floofy, derp.
Can someone tell me the breed of the cat from #13?
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.
Oh ok :’)
Gli is so friendly, I would love to go there one day to visit the family.
I love her eyes, they really are Beauitful.?
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 >..<
The name means *Saint* Sofia. It should be Greek Orthodox (in my opinion, anyway)
Cute cat! I hope it stays a museum so it will be available to all people.
All people are welcome in Istanbul mosques, i visited several as a french tourist and i even stayed in Suleymaniye mosque (my favorite!) 2 hours because it was a deluge of rain outside, talking with a woman who watched it. I feel sad for the turkish people about these controversy, they are really welcoming and kind. I travel alone and i never felt uncomfortable, i had a great time with great people. Hagia Sophia will still be open to tourists, the controversy is just symbolic because their mad president want to show that he his a fundamentalist. A lot of mad presidents in these times...
Certainly! Turkish people are very kind and welcoming: been there several times and always felt so relaxed and in awe. I think the Turkish people couldn't care less about the status of the Hagia Sophia: it's indeed just crazy Erdogan being himself... We couldn't expect anything better from someone who "works" with Putin and Trump. The changed status to mosque will only mean that certain symbols will be covered up during prayer, for the rest, everything will stay the same. Mind you, the Ottomans respected this gem and saved all the artwork, while the Catholics destroyed so much of the artwork of the Moors, for example... Atatürk made a wise decision with the status of the building. Erdogan needed to do something useless for his little nationalist entourage... He's exactly the same as Trump or Orban or Borisov. I know from experience that the vast majority of the Turks despise him and the way he's trying to create a dictatorship. They'll continue to treach the Hagia Sophia with respect!
They are gorgeous, I went to visit my sister who lives in Istanbul and by chance stopped by Hagia Sophia. It is so beautiful! Although tourists should be aware that in certain mosques you can't wear tight clothing or anything revealing. It wasn't anything drastic, but I was wearing leggings and noticed a sign saying that women should not enter with anything showing off their figure... I used a scarf to hide myself so I could walk inside though. My niece was wearing a tank top and had to cover herself, too. I think it's perfectly fine with the rules, I just wish I knew about it before walking all the way to visit it without a change of clothes.
I doubt the cat will be allowed to stay now when the Hagia Sophia was turn into a mosque.
woooooooooooow
love cats, they're a magic creatures.
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The name of the church is Ayia Sofia... and its a christian church.........
It was for 500 years. Then it was a mosque for 500 years. Which 500 years are longer?
We should ask the cat her opinion. I believe most of them are Wiccans though.
Xanthi Zachariou good
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.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Eunice Probert haha
Such beautiful green eyes. Striking.
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.
Gil runs the Hagia Sophia like a boss.
She's a lovely little cat. I can see why she's so popular with tourists. She's so friendly!
What I want to see is the picture with Obama!
Friendly, floofy, derp.
Can someone tell me the breed of the cat from #13?
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.
Oh ok :’)
Gli is so friendly, I would love to go there one day to visit the family.
I love her eyes, they really are Beauitful.?
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 >..<
The name means *Saint* Sofia. It should be Greek Orthodox (in my opinion, anyway)
Cute cat! I hope it stays a museum so it will be available to all people.
All people are welcome in Istanbul mosques, i visited several as a french tourist and i even stayed in Suleymaniye mosque (my favorite!) 2 hours because it was a deluge of rain outside, talking with a woman who watched it. I feel sad for the turkish people about these controversy, they are really welcoming and kind. I travel alone and i never felt uncomfortable, i had a great time with great people. Hagia Sophia will still be open to tourists, the controversy is just symbolic because their mad president want to show that he his a fundamentalist. A lot of mad presidents in these times...
Certainly! Turkish people are very kind and welcoming: been there several times and always felt so relaxed and in awe. I think the Turkish people couldn't care less about the status of the Hagia Sophia: it's indeed just crazy Erdogan being himself... We couldn't expect anything better from someone who "works" with Putin and Trump. The changed status to mosque will only mean that certain symbols will be covered up during prayer, for the rest, everything will stay the same. Mind you, the Ottomans respected this gem and saved all the artwork, while the Catholics destroyed so much of the artwork of the Moors, for example... Atatürk made a wise decision with the status of the building. Erdogan needed to do something useless for his little nationalist entourage... He's exactly the same as Trump or Orban or Borisov. I know from experience that the vast majority of the Turks despise him and the way he's trying to create a dictatorship. They'll continue to treach the Hagia Sophia with respect!
They are gorgeous, I went to visit my sister who lives in Istanbul and by chance stopped by Hagia Sophia. It is so beautiful! Although tourists should be aware that in certain mosques you can't wear tight clothing or anything revealing. It wasn't anything drastic, but I was wearing leggings and noticed a sign saying that women should not enter with anything showing off their figure... I used a scarf to hide myself so I could walk inside though. My niece was wearing a tank top and had to cover herself, too. I think it's perfectly fine with the rules, I just wish I knew about it before walking all the way to visit it without a change of clothes.
I doubt the cat will be allowed to stay now when the Hagia Sophia was turn into a mosque.
woooooooooooow
love cats, they're a magic creatures.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
The name of the church is Ayia Sofia... and its a christian church.........
It was for 500 years. Then it was a mosque for 500 years. Which 500 years are longer?
We should ask the cat her opinion. I believe most of them are Wiccans though.
Xanthi Zachariou good