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Istanbul’s Most Famous Cat Honored With Its Own Statue At Its Favorite Spot
All cats are remembered by their owners, but few cute cats are remembered by the world. However, everybody will remember the late and great Tombili because the famously laid-back feline just got immortalized with its very own cat statue.
Tombili rose to fame when somebody snapped and shared a photograph of it chilling in a ridiculously relaxed pose on the streets of Istanbul. The adorable cat soon became an internet legend and so, when it passed away in August, it seemed only right that the famous cat was honored in the real world as well. Now the feline’s lackadaisical pose has been eternalized in the form of a beautiful sculpture that’s just been unveiled in the very spot where Tombili was originally photographed showing the world how to chill in style. This beautiful statue will forever be there to remind us that in this increasingly hectic world of ours, sometimes we need to take a moment to relax. RIP Tombili! (h/t: lovemeow)
RELATED:
Tombili the cat passed away recently but it will never be forgotten
Image credits: Unknown
Because somebody made a statue!
Image credits: Unknown (left), Anadolu Kedisi (right)
It’s made of bronze and it sits in the same spot where Tombili was snapped in its famous pose
Image credits: Anadolu Kedisi
Cats in the neighbourhood came to pay their respects to Istanbul’s most famous feline
Image credits: Anadolu Kedisi
The statue will be officially unveiled on October 4th to coincide with World Animal Day
Image credits: Anadolu Kedisi
Tombili’s memory will now live on forever
Image credits: ykpykseler
Rest in peace Tombili!
Image credits: ykpykseler
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What do you think ?
Գևորգ Մարտիրոսյան 9 years ago
yeah, I remember like now he used to sit there with mysterious face and meowed profound things...(((
Load More Replies...
Evisa Isabella Rose 9 years ago
Heroes get remembered, but legends NEVER die!!! :''') R.I.P. Tombili!
Caree Graybow 9 years ago
Especially when the story calls him an "it" he was a cat, he was a male cat! Not an it! The statue is an it of HIM! Thank you very much!
Rob Walrond 9 years ago
Totally agree. Pity the artist didn't go for a better likeness. If they really were paying tribute they would have made sure it actually looked like him. But RIP Tombili may you be remembered as you really were.
Load More Replies...
Karen Bunn 9 years ago
Tombili didn't miss too many meals. Now that's a role-poly kitty tummy!
Barış Kural 9 years ago
You can find his sculpture in ziver bey/kadikoy/istanbul. The location is so close to me. Feel so lucky couse i live in kadikoy :)
Load More Replies...
Luke Matthew 8 years ago
Oh this beautiful cat. I tried to find the statue on Google Street View. The Street View image pre-dates the statue's installation, but look who I did find!! https://goo.gl/maps/d2UaHykT9652
Luke Matthew 8 years ago
https://goo.gl/maps/d2UaHykT9652 (the street view image pre-dates the statue, but look who i found in the same spot!!)
Load More Replies...
matylda ariadna 9 years ago
cats, cats, cats are so inspiring sculptors.. ;) https://www.facebook.com/espace.artes/photos/ms.c.eJw1yMERACAMArCNPGqRwv6L~_fDMM8W2NEE48fSqF8529YZ~;BCrqEBcH4ApK.bps.a.1365584363454895.1073741829.1333203323359666/1438667909479873/?type=3&theater
Nathalie Le Maire 9 years ago
I had a cat that once in a while, he'd sit just like that, but never in public, for this precious one to be so relaxed, it's because he was truly one of us and loved and trusted us to the point where he wasn't afraid to bear his tummy and chat to us...R.I.P. Tombii, you will be missed ;(
Anna Salerno 9 years ago
He reminds me of Istanbul's version of Garfield, roly poly. He was a well fed cat. R. I. P. Tombili.
Anna Salerno 9 years ago
What a wonderful tribute to a fabulous majestic cat. He was beautiful. R. I. P. Tombili.
Lee Anne Chapman 9 years ago
Great story! Was Tombili female or male? It's unfortunate the author has referred to Tombili as an "it" rather than "he" or "she" or just "the cat" if this isn't known. Language is powerful. Referring to animals as things undermines the fact that they are living beings like ourselves. For example, animals farmed for food are referred to as "it's" by the industry to distance ourselves from the fact they are living creatures who suffer. Our choice of words matter. Respect for animals is so needed in the world today, my respect to the person who made the statue. What a beautiful thing to do!
Oğuzhan Serdenci 9 years ago
Seni yunana iteliyorum Vooav great comment, good job greece boy
Load More Replies...
Adnan Yaman 9 years ago
Well, the name explains everything tough, "Tombili" means Fatty in Turkish <3
Susan L. Miller 9 years ago
An artist of the chill He always knew the drill Will we miss him, yes we will But this statue fills the bill!
Özgün Özden 9 years ago
He got sick and sadly couldn't be resmen. Died on 1st of August.
Load More Replies... Գևորգ Մարտիրոսյան 9 years ago
yeah, I remember like now he used to sit there with mysterious face and meowed profound things...(((
Load More Replies... Evisa Isabella Rose 9 years ago
Heroes get remembered, but legends NEVER die!!! :''') R.I.P. Tombili!
Caree Graybow 9 years ago
Especially when the story calls him an "it" he was a cat, he was a male cat! Not an it! The statue is an it of HIM! Thank you very much!
Rob Walrond 9 years ago
Totally agree. Pity the artist didn't go for a better likeness. If they really were paying tribute they would have made sure it actually looked like him. But RIP Tombili may you be remembered as you really were.
Load More Replies... Karen Bunn 9 years ago
Tombili didn't miss too many meals. Now that's a role-poly kitty tummy!
Barış Kural 9 years ago
You can find his sculpture in ziver bey/kadikoy/istanbul. The location is so close to me. Feel so lucky couse i live in kadikoy :)
Load More Replies... Luke Matthew 8 years ago
Oh this beautiful cat. I tried to find the statue on Google Street View. The Street View image pre-dates the statue's installation, but look who I did find!! https://goo.gl/maps/d2UaHykT9652
Luke Matthew 8 years ago
https://goo.gl/maps/d2UaHykT9652 (the street view image pre-dates the statue, but look who i found in the same spot!!)
Load More Replies... matylda ariadna 9 years ago
cats, cats, cats are so inspiring sculptors.. ;) https://www.facebook.com/espace.artes/photos/ms.c.eJw1yMERACAMArCNPGqRwv6L~_fDMM8W2NEE48fSqF8529YZ~;BCrqEBcH4ApK.bps.a.1365584363454895.1073741829.1333203323359666/1438667909479873/?type=3&theater
Nathalie Le Maire 9 years ago
I had a cat that once in a while, he'd sit just like that, but never in public, for this precious one to be so relaxed, it's because he was truly one of us and loved and trusted us to the point where he wasn't afraid to bear his tummy and chat to us...R.I.P. Tombii, you will be missed ;(
Anna Salerno 9 years ago
He reminds me of Istanbul's version of Garfield, roly poly. He was a well fed cat. R. I. P. Tombili.
Anna Salerno 9 years ago
What a wonderful tribute to a fabulous majestic cat. He was beautiful. R. I. P. Tombili.
Lee Anne Chapman 9 years ago
Great story! Was Tombili female or male? It's unfortunate the author has referred to Tombili as an "it" rather than "he" or "she" or just "the cat" if this isn't known. Language is powerful. Referring to animals as things undermines the fact that they are living beings like ourselves. For example, animals farmed for food are referred to as "it's" by the industry to distance ourselves from the fact they are living creatures who suffer. Our choice of words matter. Respect for animals is so needed in the world today, my respect to the person who made the statue. What a beautiful thing to do!
Oğuzhan Serdenci 9 years ago
Seni yunana iteliyorum Vooav great comment, good job greece boy
Load More Replies... Adnan Yaman 9 years ago
Well, the name explains everything tough, "Tombili" means Fatty in Turkish <3
Susan L. Miller 9 years ago
An artist of the chill He always knew the drill Will we miss him, yes we will But this statue fills the bill!
Özgün Özden 9 years ago
He got sick and sadly couldn't be resmen. Died on 1st of August.
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