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Istanbul’s Most Famous Cat Honored With Its Own Statue At Its Favorite Spot
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Istanbul’s Most Famous Cat Honored With Its Own Statue At Its Favorite Spot

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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)

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

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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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ebruudogann avatar
gevor_ma avatar
Գևորգ Մարտիրոսյան
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah, I remember like now he used to sit there with mysterious face and meowed profound things...(((

Load More Replies...
evisa-isabella-rose avatar
Evisa Isabella Rose
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heroes get remembered, but legends NEVER die!!! :''') R.I.P. Tombili!

careeberry avatar
Caree Graybow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sculpture is not so close I think, but a nice gesture nonetheless.

rwalrond avatar
Rob Walrond
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
kjbunnad avatar
Karen Bunn
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tombili didn't miss too many meals. Now that's a role-poly kitty tummy!

shcohen0804 avatar
bariskural95 avatar
Barış Kural
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
mr_smeaton avatar
Luke Matthew
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

sandeewiens avatar
sandeewiens
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful reminder!🐤🐦

mwbrozen avatar
mr_smeaton avatar
Luke Matthew
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
ariadna221 avatar
matylda ariadna
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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-lemaire7 avatar
Nathalie Le Maire
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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 ;(

annagsalerno avatar
Anna Salerno
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He reminds me of Istanbul's version of Garfield, roly poly. He was a well fed cat. R. I. P. Tombili.

annagsalerno avatar
Anna Salerno
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a wonderful tribute to a fabulous majestic cat. He was beautiful. R. I. P. Tombili.

leeoleebythesea avatar
Lee Anne Chapman
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

denizayt avatar
yamanadnan avatar
Adnan Yaman
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, the name explains everything tough, "Tombili" means Fatty in Turkish <3

annamcaffee avatar
Anna Mcaffee
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww that's so cute. Btw he was really fat. I ♥ this story.

54f516fe5361a avatar
Susan L. Miller
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An artist of the chill He always knew the drill Will we miss him, yes we will But this statue fills the bill!

ebruudogann avatar
gevor_ma avatar
Գևորգ Մարտիրոսյան
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah, I remember like now he used to sit there with mysterious face and meowed profound things...(((

Load More Replies...
evisa-isabella-rose avatar
Evisa Isabella Rose
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heroes get remembered, but legends NEVER die!!! :''') R.I.P. Tombili!

careeberry avatar
Caree Graybow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sculpture is not so close I think, but a nice gesture nonetheless.

rwalrond avatar
Rob Walrond
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
kjbunnad avatar
Karen Bunn
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tombili didn't miss too many meals. Now that's a role-poly kitty tummy!

shcohen0804 avatar
bariskural95 avatar
Barış Kural
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
mr_smeaton avatar
Luke Matthew
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

sandeewiens avatar
sandeewiens
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful reminder!🐤🐦

mwbrozen avatar
mr_smeaton avatar
Luke Matthew
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
ariadna221 avatar
matylda ariadna
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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-lemaire7 avatar
Nathalie Le Maire
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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 ;(

annagsalerno avatar
Anna Salerno
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He reminds me of Istanbul's version of Garfield, roly poly. He was a well fed cat. R. I. P. Tombili.

annagsalerno avatar
Anna Salerno
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a wonderful tribute to a fabulous majestic cat. He was beautiful. R. I. P. Tombili.

leeoleebythesea avatar
Lee Anne Chapman
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

denizayt avatar
yamanadnan avatar
Adnan Yaman
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, the name explains everything tough, "Tombili" means Fatty in Turkish <3

annamcaffee avatar
Anna Mcaffee
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww that's so cute. Btw he was really fat. I ♥ this story.

54f516fe5361a avatar
Susan L. Miller
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An artist of the chill He always knew the drill Will we miss him, yes we will But this statue fills the bill!

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