Archie Hayes 
Some cities just have a soft spot for strays. Walk through Cusco, Peru, and you’ll spot dogs lounging like they own the place—because in a way, they kind of do. Locals feed them, greet them, even let them nap on their doorsteps. And in other corners of the world—Athens, Valletta, Japan’s “cat islands”—it’s the cats who run the show. They slink through alleyways, hop onto warm car hoods, and disappear into the night like little urban ghosts.
That gentle coexistence is exactly what pulled photographer Marcel Heijnen into the streets of Istanbul. He’s spent years capturing cats across Asia—his earlier work in Hong Kong and China is already well-loved—but there’s something about Istanbul that’s different. Here, cats aren’t just tolerated. They’re embraced.
His new book, City Cats of Istanbul (coming soon from Thames & Hudson), is a portrait of the city through its most iconic residents. You’ll find cats curled up in bookshops, tucked into market stalls, sprawled dramatically across ancient steps. Some stare right into the lens like they’re letting you into a secret; others couldn’t care less that you’re there at all.
What’s great is how the city itself becomes part of the narrative. The textures, the light, the rhythm of everyday life—it’s all there in the background, with a cat nonchalantly stealing the scene. Heijnen doesn’t just photograph animals; he captures the atmosphere they live in.
You can check out more of his work on his website or Instagram. And if the idea of cats and crumbling architecture makes your heart flutter a little, the book’s available for pre-order on Bookshop. There’s even a launch event happening in Istanbul on September 20 at 6 p.m., hosted at the Cat Museum. If ever there was a city to celebrate its whiskered citizens, this is it.
