is what motivates me to start my job as a professional tourist guide. The excitiment that I feel in this place where I’ve been visiting almost every day is just like the first day. I discover something new in each visit… the glow of the mosaics, the colors of the frescoes, the magnificence of the marbles and a cute cat who stands on the Empress Lodge posing for many tourists. This scene softens my heart because lots of people from all around the world are getting together with the love of a cat.

The name of this love is Gli “Union of Love” and here comes the life story of Gli: Archeologist Defne Bali who has worked for Hagia Sophia for years was like a mother to Gli. Gli had one brother, Pati and a sister, Kızım. Their mother was Sofi. They were born in 2004. Pati died, unfortunately. Bilgen Deveci, one of our restorers chose the name “Gri” (in English: Grey) for Gli at first. However, because of its cuteness and squinty eyes its name became Gli. I chose the name “Kızım” for her sister. When she was little, Kızım went under one of the maksures of Hagia Sophia and stucked there for a while. We saved her later but because she meowed so much then, she became silent for the next two years.

Photos from @hagiasophiacat Instagram Account:

Gli had only one kitten all her life. A beautiful jet-black she-cat named “Karakız” who had an accident because of a tour-bus. She stayed in a vet for a while for her broken back. However, we had no chance to take a care of him at the museum because of then-manager who hates cats so we had to put her sleep.

Gli became popular when the prime-minister R.Tayyip Erdoğan and then Obama stroked her.

Gli was a real hunter when she was young. She used to hunt birds, which she can’t now because of his age and eyes.

This post is written by Umut Bahçeci for hagiasophiaturkey.com

Love, Umut Bahçeci (Instagram: @mumuizm_  Mail: umutbahceci@gmail.com)

Follow Gli the St. Sophia Cat Instagram Account: @hagiasophiacat.  Thank you Peter Magenheimer (@peterjmag) for Encouraging me to open this account for Gli.

Featured Image Credit: Hagia Sophia Cat Tumblr Page

What will happen to Gli after Hagia Sophia is turned into a Mosque?

Archaeologist Defne Bali, who works at the Hagia Sophia Museum, made a statement about the status of the Hagia Sophia Cat – Gli on Instagram.

What will happen to Gli after Hagia Sophia is turned into a Mosque

We convey the explanation exactly: “Hagia Sophia has been opened for worship as a mosque. Currently there is no work on relocating Gli. Gli will continue to live where he was born and grew up.”

Update (19.09.2020): Gli, the cat of Hagia Sophia After being at a vet all week, the 16 year-old cat will now stay in a private room away from visitors for health reason. Source

We convey the explanation exactly: “Dear Friends,
Here i am.
Has been along time of my silence ..
I was sick and has been a week since i was at veterinary under treatment. Finally today i’m back home. From now on i have a private room because my heart can’t handle stress and crowd anymore .
The most beautiful thing that real friends can do for me is to send me prayers and good vibes
As i am in my private room don’t forget to share your love with my other pawed friends and my housemates ”

Update (29.10.2020): Gli is very sick. Pray for Gli..

07.11.2020 – 20:27 PM: Gli died.  We are really sorry.

08.11.2020: Gli was buried in a special place in Hagia Sophia’s garden. Rest in Peace Gli.

Rest in Peace Gli – Illustration Credit Ooo Mete Beyler

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