The Statue of Tombili: Commemorating the Cat Who Went Viral for Sitting Like a Boss
In 2014, a photo of a street cat from Istanbul began spreading online for a simple reason. He looked completely unbothered. The cat sat upright on a sidewalk step, one arm draped to the side, watching the world pass with the calm confidence of someone who had nowhere else to be. The image moved quickly through social feeds and meme pages, and soon the cat had a name. People called him Tombili.
Tombili lived in Kadıköy, a neighborhood already known for its street cats and laid-back rhythm. Locals had seen him for years, often in the same spot, striking the same pose. Online, the photo became a shorthand for patience, confidence, and knowing exactly where you stand. What started as a fleeting viral image slowly turned into something more lasting.
Fame Did Not Change the Neighborhood
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Johannes Nickel
Despite worldwide recognition, Tombili’s daily life stayed local. Residents continued to feed him and check on him, just as they had before. He remained a street cat, cared for by a loose network of people rather than owned by one household.
But sadly, in August 2016, Tombili died after falling ill. News of his death spread quickly online, followed by something less common in meme culture. People wanted a physical way to mark his presence and his absence.
How a Petition Became a Permanent Tribute
Image via Getty Images/Hailshadow
Soon after Tombili’s death, residents launched a petition calling for a statue to be erected in his honor. More than 17,000 people signed it, many of whom live far outside Turkey. The request did not ask for a grand monument, but for recognition at the exact place where Tombili liked to sit.
Local authorities approved the plan, and a sculpture was commissioned and unveiled on October 4, 2016, which aligned with World Animal Day. The statue captured Tombili in the same pose that made him famous, seated upright with one arm resting on the step. It returned him to the spot people remembered most.
Why This Statue Feels Different
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Painjet
Public statues usually celebrate power, leadership, or historical turning points, but Tombili represented none of that. His appeal rested on familiarity. He looked like a cat who had seen enough to stay unimpressed.
The statue does not elevate Tombili above the neighborhood; it simply places him back into it. People still walk past, stop briefly, take a photo, and move on. Some leave food or water nearby, continuing the routine that existed before the bronze version arrived.
A Small, Powerful Landmark
As of 2025, Tombili’s statue remains in Kadıköy, set directly along everyday foot traffic rather than behind barriers or signage. People stop briefly, take a photo, and move on. That placement reflects Istanbul’s approach to its street cats, which are treated as a shared responsibility and part of daily life.
The statue also captures an unusual outcome of internet fame. Most viral moments fade quickly, but Tombili’s did not. A single image led to collective affection, then to commemoration. Long after the memes disappeared, Tombili’s presence stayed fixed in the place where people remembered him.