Discover Istanbul’s 1st cat-themed museum on International Cat Day

Cats in Istanbul are an integral part of the city’s unique culture and lifestyle. These charming animals roam freely around the city, finding their place in streets, cafes, parks, and historical sites.

Istanbul’s cats attract great interest from both locals and tourists, with many people feeding, caring for, and showing affection to them. Cats in the city are a significant element of cultural and social life; in fact, some cafes and restaurants even offer special spaces for them.

The close connection between cats and the city means that these friendly animals can even be found in Istanbul’s historic sites. Additionally, organizations and events dedicated to cats reflect the city’s sensitivity and love for street animals.

In honor of International Cat Day, we have explored the Cat Museum in Istanbul for you.

When is International Cat Day?

International Cat Day is celebrated annually on August 8. This special day is organized to promote love for cats and animal rights worldwide.

The origins of International Cat Day were initiated by various organizations and animal lovers to emphasize the importance of cat care and celebrate the role of pets in society.

The day aims to create awareness about the happiness and comfort provided by cats as pets, as well as their protection. Events typically include social media campaigns, fundraising activities, and meet-ups with cat owners.

Why was the Cat Museum in Istanbul established?

The Cat Museum, opened in 2023 in Ciragan Service Building by the Besiktas Municipality, continues to provide a unique cultural contribution to Istanbul and all of Türkiye.

This special museum, which brings together cats from the history of fairy tales, toys, games, and comic books, is also the country’s first animal-themed museum.

The idea for the museum came from Besiktas Mayor Riza Akpolat, who stated that the concept of establishing a cat museum had been on his mind since he began his term.

Museum founder and collector Sunay Akin mentioned in a press statement last year, “About 30 years ago, when I visited the Nurnberg Toy Museum, I realized that the world of children shapes the future of humanity. We must raise generations that will pass on love for nature, animals, and people to the future. With this thought in mind, we decided to establish a cat museum. In the history of civilization, the cat has been the animal closest to humans. Today, there are even cat figures at Gobeklitepe. We have gathered cats from the history of fairy tales, toys, games, and comic books in this museum. I collected documents and information for 15 years.”

What can visitors expect at Cat Museum?

The Cat Museum stands out as Istanbul’s first animal-themed museum and was brought to life with contributions from Sunay Akin.

The museum, created with the goal of conveying a love for nature and animals, brings together cats from the history of fairy tales, toys, games, and comic books.

The museum features a section called “Noah’s Ark,” which explains nature conservation, and also offers selected examples from football history under the term “Cat Goalkeeper.”

The Cat Museum has succeeded in gathering imaginary world cats for the first time, taking a pioneering role in its field.

How can you reach Cat Museum?

You can use the following directions to reach the Cat Museum, located at the Besiktas Municipality Ciragan Service Building:

Public transport:

1. Metro:
   • M2 (Yenikapi-Haciosman) Metro Line: Go to Levent Station and transfer to Besiktas IETT Buses (these buses generally pass through Levent) to reach the Ciragan Service Building.
   • Alternatively, you can take the M6 (Levent-Bogazici University/Hisarustu) line from Levent Station, get off at Hisarüstü, and walk towards Besiktas.
2. Bus:
   • You can use bus lines such as 28, 28A, 30D, 40, 42T, 43, 48, 66 to reach Besiktas. From Besiktas Square, a short walk will take you to the Ciragan Service Building.
3. Sea:
   • You can take a sea bus or ferry from Karakoy or Kabatas to Besiktas. From Besiktas Pier, you can walk to the Ciragan Service Building.

Address: Yildiz Mah. Ciragan Cad. No:77 Besiktas/Istanbul

When can the museum be visited?

The museum is open weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 and on weekends from 10:00 to 18:00, it is closed on Mondays. Entrance is free.