In Istanbul, where centuries-old historical mosques, Roman-era reservoirs and grand palaces are spread, a obese, unmoveable stray dog is the highest-rated spot, sleeping every day in the same shade near the Hishrane subway station on the north-west side of the city.
The dog's name is Stone, it doesn't move much, it doesn't bark and it doesn't like to be noticed. Even so, thousands of tourists have arranged a “visit” trip to Turkey.
Google maps even have the location of the Stone. Some commentators have called this encounter "change your life" and travel bloggers have included it in the Istanbul Tour Guide. It scored 4.9 points and nearly 300 comments, surpassing such landmark sites as the Great Mosque of Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus Strait.
Sleeping dogs make Istanbul's top tourist attraction.
The Stones remain in the same place every day, crumbling along the popular sidewalk between the Galat tower and the hallucinating museum. Tourists sometimes meet it by chance, and sometimes they are introduced to it.
It is also tracked through social media maps. It was also directly mentioned in the guide to the Istanbul Travel Express, suggesting that tourists “take more notice near the Hishâne subway station” and perhaps meet “the most timid star in Istanbul”.
It never interacts with the passers-by, but lies silently and ignores no one. This habit has won it the nickname "Big Stone."
Visitors describe it in a variety of emotional languages. One comment says, "It's elegant, it's glamorous, it's round," and the other says, "You can't stop smiling when you see it so comfortable."
Istanbul's Stone is a social media star.
The dog's reputation has long exceeded its habitat. The Daily Post published a video about it on TikTok and received over 1.6 million views. It now has a dedicated Instagram fan page. Foreign media have also ranked it among the top tourist destinations in Istanbul.
The columnist Camilla Pérez Trolle stated: “Although the Stones were originally just a common stray dog, it was soaring online.” This humanism reflects not only the love for it itself, but also the unique urban culture of Istanbul.
The city has always been caring for homeless animals, providing them with food, shelter and care. Although cats tend to be more visible, the Stone opens up a new focus, a dog that can become a public focus without doing anything.
Some visitors have come to Istanbul and the “see the stones” item has long been listed on the list. A comment on Google Map says, "In a world full of ordinary sceneries, the Stone is an extraordinary experience."
The locals in Istanbul saw the Stone as part of the community.
Locals call it “the unofficial mayor of the street”, often leaving food and water near it. And tourists sometimes look at it as a “storey”. Many commentators say that they were touched by this encounter.
Henry Sen's comments from various platforms were widely quoted: “This experience is a spiritual revelation... whose tummy is so full of passion and meaning.”
Another tourist, Jan Vagorsky, has been mentioned on numerous occasions: “It is convulsing around the popular corner, turning ordinaryism into poetry, whispering in the city's noises with a quiet resilience. The serenity of the Stone has been integrated into my life."
This language, commonly used to describe cultural landmarks or natural wonders, is now used on a dog. It is rarely mentioned in the commentary as it does not have any particular act. It brings with it an extraordinary quiet in this city known as the city of noise, congestion and never-ending rest.
Istanbul's dog Stone brings another experience of tourism.
Most of the sites in Istanbul require advance planning, and tourists have to book their tours, wait in line and pass security.
But "visit stones" do not need them at all. There are no tickets, no entrance fees, no long queues and no hurry. However, not everyone is satisfied. Several star comments complained that it had not been found in its usual place or that it had been yelled when it touched it. Locals also often remind tourists to respect its space.
These reminders reflect the fears of local lovers that the Stone is not meant to please tourists, nor has it ever sought fame or attention. But now it has both, and, for the time being, as long as it is not touched, it seems content to remain in place.
What does that mean, then, when a sleeping dog scores more than a palace, an ancient reservoir and a long-established mosque? This may reflect a shift in the way people travel and experience their needs.
Traditional sites are still on the move, but others are looking for more private and unexpected moments. For many, the presence of “boulders” (rather than on its Instagram account) met this demand.