The symbol of Kadıköy: The Bull Statue
Makale Okuma Süresi
29 December 2025 tarihinde Özgür Gülün tarafından güncellendi.
Since my early youth, the bronze Bull Statue, standing right in the heart of Altıyol, has always been the first meeting point for those who find themselves in Kadıköy. And it still is. Even now, if you go there, you can see people excitedly waiting for their friends or lovers around it.
Although, when I was a child, the Bull Statue wasn't here; it stood right next to the City Hall building. So:
- Where did this bull come from?
- Why a bull?
- Why in Kadıköy?
If you're curious too, keep reading 🙂
The statue was created in 1864 by Isidore Jules Bonheur, one of the most distinguished French animal sculptors of the 19th century. It is said to have been erected in Alsace-Lorraine, a region on the border between Germany and France, to demonstrate French power to the Germans. Ironically, however, the region, and consequently the bull, changed hands repeatedly between the two countries, and ultimately, the Germans acquired it.
According to one account, Sultan Abdülaziz, the 32nd Ottoman Sultan, known for his special interest in hunting and animal sculptures, saw this work at an exhibition in Paris during his European trip in 1867 and was very impressed. He commissioned a collection of 24 pieces, including two bull sculptures along with sculptures of animals such as horses, deer, and lions. The bull sculptures, one placed in Yıldız Palace and the other in Beylerbeyi, were moved many times.
Another account claims that Kaiser Wilhelm II gifted it to Enver Pasha, a prominent figure in the Committee of Union and Progress, as a token of solidarity with the Ottoman-German alliance, but no such record exists.
The bull statue, originally placed in the garden of the Municipality building on the Kadıköy waterfront in 1969, had a replica made in the 1980s. This replica can now be seen at Anadolu University in Eskişehir. Its original counterpart, the "Roaring Bull" statue, still stands at Beylerbeyi Palace. The "Angry Bull" statue, a symbol of Kadıköy, was moved to Altıyol in Kadıköy in 1987.
We residents of Kadıköy are very fond of this statue. Don't be surprised if you sometimes see us dressing it in clothes so it doesn't get cold. 🙂 It has also become a symbol of the Fenerbahçe Football Team. When Fenerbahçe wins the championship, it is dressed in a yellow and blue jersey.
Who knows how many times we've crossed paths while waiting around the bull statue? Don't forget to say hello next time. Take care!
