Safranbolu, Karabük Province, Turkiye

Safranbolu, which is also known as the "Capital of Conservation" due to its success in preserving historical buildings, managed to enter the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 17^th, 1994.

Historical Safranbolu, which is among the '20 Best Preserved Cities', continues to take its visitors on a journey through history on its streets for the last 29 years.

The historical Safranbolu district of Karabük, which celebrates the 29^th anniversary of its inclusion in the World Heritage List by UNESCO, continues to protect its cultural values.

In the historical district, which is called the "fingerprint of the Ottomans" because it reflects the Ottoman architecture, city life and culture, there are approximately 1500 registered works together with inns, baths, mansions, fountains, mosques and bridges from that period.

Karabük Governor Fuat Gürel said that Safranbolu, which has a history going back 3 thousand years, is one of the important cultural heritages of Turkiye.

Stating that the district is the only place in Turkiye that is completely included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Gürel stated that the preference of those who want to "travel in time" is in favor of Safranbolu.

Gürel said, "Since Safranbolu was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List, tourism mobility is at a high level. Safranbolu is one of the leading cities not only in the region and our country, but also in the world, which needs to be protected.

The fact that it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List is the biggest indicator of this. Last year, approximately 1 million 300 thousand domestic and foreign tourists came to its district as day trippers.

Aytekin Aytekin, a researcher-writer who has done many studies on the city and has written many books on the subject, said that Safranbolu remains one of the most vital symbols of Ottoman urban culture.

Stating that the district is an 'old-time witness' from its works from the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Aytekin stated that the application could not be made to the UNESCO meeting in 1992 due to a lack of documents.

But, Safranbolu was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List with the recognition of Safranbolu as the greatest vital image of Ottoman urban culture in the context of its universal and exceptional values at a meeting held in Thailand on December 17^th, 1994.

Pointing out that there are 1500 registered immovable assets in Safranbolu. - 'Safranbolu is a civilization indicator that reflects the culture, life philosophy and characteristics of the Turkish nation to the world.'

"A city's identity reflects its national value. The greatest gift of Safranbolu's award by UNESCO is this universal honor. Safranbolu has gifted this universal honor to Turkiye when it made the heritage list. This is a phenomenon that the Turkish people will be proud of."

Safranbolu, the historical and touristic district of Karabük Province in Turkiye - its location is 231 kilometers north of Ankara and 90 kilometers south of the Black Sea. It is located 8 kilometers north of Karabük district center. Safranbolu city center and the Karabük city center are close to each other.

In the historical district, which is called the "fingerprint of the Ottomans" because it reflects the Ottoman architecture, city life and culture - there are approximately 1500 registered works together with inns, baths, mansions, fountains, mosques and bridges from that period.

The houses are gathered in two parts of the city. The first of these is the Çarşı section where the winter houses are located, and the other is the Bağlar where the summer houses are located.

"The preference of those who want to travel in time is in favor of Safranbolu"

Karabük Governor Fuat Gürel told AA correspondent that Safranbolu, which has a history of 3 thousand years, is one of the important cultural heritage of Turkey.

Transportation to Safranbolu

Highway: It is possible to reach Safranbolu from three different directions by road. It is only a 80 kilometer drive from the Gerede section of the Ankara-Istanbul highway to arrive at Karabük. The district has connections with Bartın province in the north and Kastamonu province in the east.

Railway: It is possible to reach Karabük city center by rail. Railway transportation can be the preferred option for transportation between Karabük and Zonguldak.

Airline : The nearest 1^st airport is Kastamonu Airport, 122 kilometers away. It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes by road. The 2^nd airport is Ankara's Esenboğa, which is 240 kilometers away. By road it takes 2 hours and 25 minutes.

The region where the touristic and historical monuments of the city are concentrated is the Bazaar section. This region can be viewed from the Kale in the north and the Hidirlık hills in the south.

Hıdırlık Hill, which has two monumental tombs on it, was used as an open-air prayer hall in ancient times. From this hill, it is possible to see the monumental works of the city together.

The castle and its surroundings are the first settlement area. The Old Government Building on this hill, the 200-year-old Clock Tower that is still in operation and the Prison Building, which is no longer used, are the historical monuments of the city worth seeing.

There are over 25 mosques of historical significance in the city

The most important of these are the mosques built by Köprülü Mehmet Pasha and Sultan Selim III's Grand Vizier İzzet Mehmet Pasha, which are named after them.

The Cinci Inn, which was opened to service, and the Cinci Bath, which is still in use, were built by Safranbolulu Cinci Hoca, who rose to the consultancy of Sultan Deli İbrahim, and are among the works worth seeing in the city.

Production and trade in Safranbolu was carried out in various bazaars carried out with the Guild system. Demirciler, Bakırcılar, Kalaycılar and Semerciler Bazaars, where production is still continuing today, ensure the continuation of manual labor in the city.

After being restored, the historical Yemenici Arastası and the shops around it, which have become a handicraft sales center, sell souvenirs unique to Safranbolu.

Nomadic Village on the Safranbolu-Araç road, 13 kilometers from Safranbolu to the city. Yörük Village, which is far away, is an open-air museum. Transportation is possible by taxi.

All of the houses and streets under protection are well-maintained. Kaymakçıoğlu Mansion, Sipahiler Mansion, Wooden Mosque and Laundry which has been restored as an art gallery can be visited. In the village, pancakes and baklava can be eaten, various souvenirs can be purchased. There is no accommodation.

Natural Beauty

In addition to historical monuments and houses, Safranbolu also has interesting natural beauty. Dense forest areas, canyons and valleys are conducive to picnicking as well as other tourist activities such as hiking, climbing and cycling.

İncekaya Aqueduct and Canyon, Yörük Village with its magnificent houses, Bulak and Hızar Caves, Rock Tombs around Hacılarobası and Üçbölük Village, Düzce Canyon, Sarıçiçek Plateau and Uluyayla, Gürleyik Picnic Area are other tourism areas of the city.

Sightseeing in the Historical Market

Panorama from Hidirlık Hill (Namazgah, Tomb, Mausoleum)
Kaymakamlar Gezi House
İzzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque
Texters' bazaar
Blacksmiths, Coppersmiths Bazaar
Cinci Inn
Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque and Sundial
Yemenites Arastasi
Castle Old Government House City History Museum Clock Tower
Pool Asmazlar Mansion
Yoruk Village Tour


Sipahioglu Travel house
Laundromat
Konari Bottomless Lake
A trip to the Vineyards region

Değirmenbaşı Water Mill
İncekaya Aqueduct
Crystal Terrace

Tokatli Canyon
Bulak (Mencilis) Cave

Safranbolu Important Phone Numbers
District Governorship : (+90-370)712 11 80
Municipality : (+90-370)712 41 16
Police : (+90-370)712 12 22
Provincial Directorate of Tourism : (+90-370)712 12 29
Tourism Information : (+90-370)712 38 63

Safranbolu Houses : A Real Open-Air Museum

Undoubtedly, it is possible to define many places in the world as 'open-air museums'. But Safranbolu houses really deserve this title. Throw yourself into the streets of Safranbolu and you will understand it better.

As well as with its historical houses reflecting the classical Ottoman urban architecture; Safranbolu is a district famous for its peaceful nature, calm lifestyle, history and culture.

The district, which is connected to Karabük, is also one of the nine cultural assets in Turkey that is included in UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List.

Let us remind you that the name of Safranbolu, comes from saffron, which grows in the region and is a rare plant.

Since the houses of Safranbolu, which were built with a special architectural understanding - the youngest of which is 200 years old, have been preserved and restored, you feel as if you are walking in an Ottoman city in the 18^th century as soon as you step into the district.

The houses are usually built separately with male and female entrances on a plot of ground with a large garden. Each room has a bathroom recessed into the wall.

The walls and ceiling are detailed with the best examples of custom woodwork. The windows are made very narrow and long in order to ensure that the interior of the houses is bright. The carpets woven by hand with ropes painted with root dye look like the first day without losing any of their features.

While some of the Safranbolu houses have been arranged for the public to visit, some of them serve as museums. One of these is the Kaymakamlar Gezi House.

It is an important example among Safranbolu houses reflecting the culture and life style of Turkish society.

It is not known exactly when the structure was built, but it is believed that it was built in the early 18th century.

The owner of this beautiful house is Hacı Mehmet Efendi, the commander of Safranbolu barracks.

İçindekiler
Kaymakam Evi An original Turkish House
Kileciler Promenade
City History Museum
Historical Cinci Inn and Bath
Safranbolu Clock Tower
Also Rich in the Field of Archaeology
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Kaymakam Evi An original Turkish house




Kaymakam House is an important example among Safranbolu houses reflecting the culture and life style of Turkish society. It is not known exactly when the structure was built, but it is believed that it was built in the early 18^th century. The owner of this beautiful house is Hacı Mehmet Efendi, the commander of the Safranbolu barracks.

Since Hacı Mehmet Efendi was called 'Kaim Makam', which corresponds to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, the house became known by this name.

The House of Governors, which has been able to preserve all its architectural features until today; It was opened as a Training Center on 16.12.1981.

The building located in Safranbolu Bazaar, on Hıdırlık Slope Street; It is a unique Turkish House in terms of mass, plan and façade. If you fall on your way to Safranbolu, this is one of the most important buildings you should see.

Kileciler Promenade

It is known that the Kileciler House, which is located at the corner where Kışlayani and Akpınar Streets meet, was built by Hacı Mehmet Efendi in 1884.

The building, is shaped according to the slope of both streets, is designed as a 'corner house' in the full sense. The foundation is with stone walls, the upper floors are adobe filled between wooden cracks.

Elegant embroideries stand out on the walls. The salutation entrance of the mansion is on Kışlayani street; The entrance of the harem is located on Akpınar Street.

It is also possible to see tablecloths, clothes, cushions, sewing machines and items such as tables and cedars belonging to the same period inside the mansion.

City History Museum

Safranbolu City History Museum is a very old museum. The hill, known as the 'castle', was built in two years between 1904-1906, with the financial support of the people. The building, which is made entirely of cut stone, has a closed area of 800 m2 and a cellar section.

Museum building consists of three floors: the ground, the entrance and the first floor. In the museum, you can watch the phases of Safranbolu up to the present day chronologically, see its life and culture, and visit an old Safranbolu Bazaar.

On the ground floor; There is the history of Safranbolu and the building, maps, cultural publications, satellite imagery, exhibition hall and conference hall. In the ethnography hall.

Clothes belonging to the Republican Period and old items unique to Safranbolu are exhibited. 'Safranbolu Hall with Photographs'; Information about the history of Safranbolu from the Ottoman Period to the Republican Period, visual details, coins and old manuscripts of the Roman Period, Ottoman Period and Republican Period are exhibited.

On the ground floor, there is photographic information about Commercial Life and Traditional Handicrafts in Safranbolu.

At the same time, there are sub-sections such as the Pharmacy Museum, the Turkish Delight Museum and the sections where the working environments of the important tradesmen branches in Safranbolu such as Yemenici, Spicer, Shoemaker, Semerci, Demirci, Kalaycı, Bakırcı and Esnaf Kahvesi are revived.

Historical Cinci Inn and Bath

One of the hundreds of large and small caravanserais established on the historical Silk Road extending from China to Anatolia is the Cinci Han in Safranbolu. It was built by Cinci Khan Safranbolulu Karabaşzade Hüseyin Efendi (Cinci Hoca) in 1645. The architect is not known for sure, but it is thought that it was built by Koca Mimar Kazım Ağa.

Cinci Han, which was used as a caravanserai until the 20^th century when the historical Silk Road began to lose its effectiveness, was used as a warehouse by Safranbolu tradesmen since the beginning of the 20^th century and ceased this use towards the end of the 20^th century.

The restored Cinci Han is now used as a hotel. Cinci Bath is still in service today.

Safranbolu Clock Tower

This clock tower, which was built by Grand Vizier İzzet Mehmet Pasha in 1797 during the reign of Sultan Selim III, is known as a square-planned clock tower. This tower, which is 10 meters high, is important in terms of seeing and seeing from all over Safranbolu.

Field of Archaeology

Safranbolu is also a settlement rich in archaeological value. Excavations in the Büyük Göztepe Tumulus, which is estimated to belong to the 4^th century BC, have been continuing since last year.

The studies in the Tumulus, which is about 25 meters high, are important for the following reason: The history of the city before the 16^th century is unknown, but the finds that will emerge with this Tumulus will give information about the place of Safranbolu in the ancient age.

Due to the fact that it is a very large tumulus, the excavations will be long-term. However, the finds show that this is the tomb of an important person. There are around 100 tumuli in Safranbolu. With the excavations to be carried out here, the past of the city will further come to light.

Tumulus means an artificial hill formed from earth or stones piled on the burial chamber built for the king and the royal family.

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