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25/05/2026

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Tombili was a stray cat in Istanbul who became a global sensation thanks to his famously relaxed pose. According to Wikipedia, Tombili lived in the Ziverbey neighborhood of Kadıköy and was often seen reclining on a step with one paw draped casually over his belly, watching people pass by. A photo of him in this position went viral, turning him into an internet meme and a symbol of the city’s affection for its street cats.

According to Atlas Obscura, Tombili passed away from illness in August 2016, and his death sparked an outpouring of grief. More than 17,000 people signed a petition asking the city to honor him. Kadıköy’s mayor agreed, and local sculptor Seval Şahin created a bronze statue of Tombili in his iconic sitting pose. The statue was unveiled on October 4, 2016, World Animal Day, with hundreds of locals attending the ceremony to pay tribute.

The statue briefly went missing a month later, causing outrage across Turkey and beyond. Social media users condemned the theft, and even politicians spoke out against it. Thankfully, the statue was returned and restored to its original spot, where it remains today as a beloved landmark.