{"product_id":"i̇stanbulda-bir-zurafa","title":"A Giraffe in Istanbul","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn 1823, the year Sultan Mahmud II ascended the throne, a giraffe was among the cargo unloaded from a ship that docked at the Port of Istanbul.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"readmore\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"details\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe giraffe, sent as a gift to the Sultan by the Governor of Egypt, Mehmet Ali Pasha, was brought to the Çinili Köşk Square amid the astonished gazes of Istanbulites seeing it for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe giraffe was presented to the public on November 27 by the Sultan's decree. While people watched in admiration as the animal ate the leaves of the trees, Habeş Ahmet Ağa shouted to begin the scenario he had prepared: \"The giraffe is a pure and blessed animal, and any Muslim who holds it in his hand and takes it for a walk will suffer no harm or misfortune.\" Then, looking at Abdi Bey, who was terrified of the animal, he said: \"Come, let every Muslim come, let us take the giraffe for a walk. Whoever takes this animal for a walk will go to paradise.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eUpon the Sultan's words that it was \"a sign of the Messiah,\" the Sultan's earring-wearing servant Abdi Bey, who considered himself highly honored, was seated on the giraffe. Frightened by Abdi Bey's pleas and entreaties, the poor animal became unruly and began to run toward the İshakiye Pavilion. At that moment, Abdi Bey's cry to the Sultan was heard: \"Forgive me my lord in the hereafter. Our first destination is the cradle of death. Here, I am riding away. Farewell.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMost likely, the words \"I have ridden a sign, I am going to the apocalypse\" were spoken by Abdi Bey on the back of the giraffe...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"İstanbul Oyuncak Müzesi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":37539748577440,"sku":"M-SA-I01","price":150.0,"currency_code":"TRY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0012\/8532\/4852\/files\/Zurafa.webp?v=1746775580","url":"https:\/\/istanbuloyuncakmuzesi.com\/en\/products\/i%cc%87stanbulda-bir-zurafa","provider":"İstanbul Oyuncak Müzesi","version":"1.0","type":"link"}