Audio GuideKadikoy Bull Statue

In the bustling heart of Istanbul’s Asian side, a striking bronze bull stands proudly at a lively crossroads. Known as the Kadıköy Boğa Heykeli, or the Bull Statue, it is a true symbol of Kadıköy’s vibrant spirit. From early morning until late at night, crowds gather around, friends meet beneath its imposing presence, street performers entertain passers-by, and the scent of roasting chestnuts drifts through the air.

SelimCNG

The statue’s fascinating journey began in Paris in the middle of the nineteenth century. The French sculptor Isidore Jules Bonheur crafted the bull using traditional bronze casting methods of the period. With its lifelike details—tense muscles and head held low in a determined stance—it reflects both Bonheur’s artistry and the era’s appreciation of powerful animal figures in public spaces.

Okan Hoşten

The bull’s path from Paris to Kadıköy took many years. Some say that an Ottoman sultan spotted it at a Paris exhibition and brought it back to Istanbul as part of a wider collection. Another version suggests the statue travelled from France to Germany and then to the Ottomans as a diplomatic gift. Whatever the real story, by the early twentieth century, the bull had arrived in Istanbul, spending time in gardens, palaces, and private residences along the way.

Mücahit

For almost four decades now, the statue has stood at Altıyol—the junction where six roads meet in Kadıköy. Over time, it has become a beloved meeting place and an enduring symbol of the area’s dynamic, modern character. People from all backgrounds come together here, making the spot a landmark for both locals and visitors alike. Thanks to regular restoration, the bull has withstood the passage of time, even as city debates and neighbourhood changes have swirled around it. You can find other works by Bonheur in England, Belgium, Spain and the United States, but none holds the unique local significance of the Kadıköy bull. In Istanbul, it often wears scarves, flags or banners during festivities—a living part of the city’s heritage and daily life.