Safranbolu
The town of Safranbolu has been chosen by UNESCO as
a World Heritage City. It is a two-hour drive away
from Ankara. Just take the road to Karabükfrom the
Gerede crossing on the Ankara-İstanbul highway and
follow the signs
The known history of Safranbolu dates back as far as
3000 BC. It has hosted many civilizations, including
the Roman, Byzantine Seljuk and Ottoman Empires,
throughout its history. It is seldom visited by
foreign tourists, however the delightful houses of
old Safranbolu are the finest examples of Ottoman
domestic architecture and the town is an open museum.
The city originally took its name from the saffron
fields that dotted the area in the 19th century. The
powder obtained from its flower is used as a very
strong dye. Used in very small quantities, saffron
adds a delicate flavor, distinct aroma and a very
unique color to desserts and other foods. Today,
saffron fields abound in a village 20 km away, where
a thriving saffron business continues.
The city was built in a valley and the historical
works are mostly from the Candaroğulları and Ottoman
eras. When you look down the valley from Hıdırlık
hill, the panorama of the city will surely fascinate
you: the castle, clock tower, old houses, konaks
(mansions), inns and hamams spread out before
you as one. The downtown area has been tastefully
restored and takes you on a journey into the past.
There are more than 25 historical mosques in town.
Köprülü Mehmet Paşa and İzzet Mehmet Paşa
mosques among the most famous. Kaymakamlar
Evi Museum reflects the finest characteristics
of Safranbolu houses. The Ottoman clock tower was
built in 1797 and still functions. When restoration
is completed, the Cinci Han will rank among
the best 5-star hotels. It was built in the mid 17th
century to meet the needs of merchants, since the
town served as an important junction on the route of
the famous Silk Road.
Many of the historical konaks and houses of
Safranbolu have been restored and are in service
with domestic designs to provide accommodation. The
most famous are Havuzlu Asmazlar Konağı,
Mehveş Hanım Konağı, Hatice Hanım Konağı,
Gülevi, and Havuzlu Konak (run by
Turing). Each one is more beautiful than the next
with their high ceilings, large rooms, and windows
decorated with embroidered curtains and brass beds.
Safran is the most famous restaurant in
Safranbolu.
The busy market square forms a focal point around
which the rest of the town is spread out. Walk down
through the narrow pedestrian-only streets taking in
all the little shops and the famous houses. Be sure
not to miss Manifaturacılar street, Arasta (old
bazaar) at which the houses are restored by the
Ministry of Culture, and Hükümet street where you
can watch craftsmen at work and bargain with them
for their goods. Yemeniciler Arasta resembles
a green tent covered in wine leaves. You are
immediately grasped by the café where women prepare
several kinds of gözleme. The small and cozy stores
side by side along the street sell handmade Yemeni (slippers),
cloth, curtains, embroidered blouses and bags. A
vaulted door leads you into Bakırcılar Çarşısı
(Coppersmith Bazaar), where you can purchase
some old and new copper goods while watching the
craftsmen work.
In addition to its history and houses, Safranbolu's
nature is also beautiful. The natural beauties to be
found include forests, pastures, canyons and caverns.
Different altitudes create variety in climate and
plants while making the place perfect for nature
sports such as jogging, trekking and biking. Dense
forests and heights allow for the formation of
pastures. Local geological formations created deep
and long canyons and caverns that are several
kilometers long.
Also of interest are the İncekara aqueduct
and canyon, Bulak and Hızar caves,
rock tombs near Hacılarobası and Üçbölük
villages, Düzce and Tokatlı canyons,
Sarıçiçek plateau and the Uluyayla and
Gürleyik picnic areas. Also unique in
Safranbolu are the famous Çavus grapes with their
extremely thin skin and sweet flavor. The lokum (Turkish
Delight) is also a special treat, preferred among
lokum connoisseurs and a must to sample
Don't leave Safranbolu before:
- Taking photos at Hıdırlık Hill,
- Visiting Yörük Köyü and İncekara aqueducts, and
- Eating gözleme and lokum
Yörük Köyü
13 km away from Safranbolu, this museum-like village
can only be reached by car or taxi. The village is
under protection and the houses and konaks (mansions)
are all well preserved. The village was founded byan
Oğuz Turk tribe, and its oldest wooden house is 450
years old while itsnewest one is still 90 years old.
The houses' inner decorations and ceiling
embellishments are as stunning as their façades. The
deer horns hanging from the eaves are considered
lucky. The Kaymakçıoğlu and Sipahiler
mansions, Ahşap Cami (Wooden Mosque) and the
Çamaşırhane (Laundry), restored as an art
gallery, are among the sites of interest. You may
have difficulty in choosing what to eat among the
delicious varieties of gözleme and baklava. Don't
forget to purchase the local food exhibited at the
exit of the village. The nearest place for
accommodation is the restored mansions in Safranbolu
Don't Leave
Without
Visiting Safranbolu,
- Visiting the Mencilis Cave in Karabük Bulak
Village,
- Camping at the Yenice Forests in Autumn and
taking photos,
- Camping in Ulu Plateau and Sarıçiçek
Plateau and visiting Şeker Canyon and Düzce Canyon,
- Visiting Yenice Arboretum (Open Air Forest
Museum),
- Visiting Eskipazar Hadrianapolis ancient
city,
- Fishing at the Eflani Small lakes,
- Visiting Ovacık Karakoyunlu Tombs of the
Kings,
- Tasting Kuyu Kebab, Zerde, Water Pastry and
gözleme (pancake) in Safranbolu,
- Participating Golden Saffron Documentary
Film Festival
