The King of Greece
CHONKUS MAXIMUS
Location
Crete, Greece
Status
Occupying

Cats had monuments, histories and ancient ruins. Then Chonkus took over the pavement.

Chonkus Maximus — the chonky street cat
Origin Story
HOW A STREET CAT TOOK THE CROWN

Enormous cat continues to occupy pavement, residents “not surprised”

Chonkus has become famous for his direct refusal of all reasonable activity. Locals report he has been sleeping in the same spot for years, visited by tourists, loved by strangers, and completely unbothered by it all.

Chonkus relaxing at the harbour at dusk

“Every morning he is already there. Every evening he is still there. We stopped asking.”

— Local resident

Chonkus Maximus on an ancient stone bench in Crete

Local landmark

Territory Report
THE ENTIRE STREET IS HIS ADDRESS

He does not visit the neighbourhood.

The neighbourhood turns around him.

Chonkus on the map
Bakery steps
Old port wall
Blue gate
Tourist bench
Fish market
Taverna entrance
TerritoryScale: 1 Chonkus = 1 Block
Crete Old Town · Est. Always
Public Reception

RATED HIGHER
THAN MOST
MONUMENTS

"Came for the beach. Found the king."

Tripadvisor · Solo travellerAug 12, '24

"He occupied the road and improved the neighbourhood."

Google Maps · CoupleJun 03, '24

"Larger in person. Much. Lays a threshold for me."

Yelp · Business ownerMar 19, '24
Interior Report

CHONKUS IS NOT IN THE
FRAME.
CHONKUS IS THE
FRAME.

His proportions are not exaggerated.

The furniture is simply undersized.

Chair
Door
CHONKUS

Size comparison · Not to scale

ONE CAT

THREE SEATS

ZERO AVAILABLE

SPACE

The furniture retired.

Visual Archive
PHOTOGRAPHS PINNED TO A WHITE WALL

Please do not remove — the neighbourhood

Chonkus at the harbour at dusk
Chonkus resting in the street at night
Chonkus on ancient stone bench in Crete
Chonkus lying in the dry grass