Safranbolu

Safranbolu, in the Black Sea Region, is Turkey's most and best-preserved Ottoman town. The town derives its name from saffron that was grown here and polis, the Greek word for city. A few years ago, production of saffron fell almost to zero, but recently there has been a revival in the cultivation of the precious herb.

History of Safranbolu

From the 13th century until the advent of the railroad at the beginning of the 20th century, Safranbolu was an important stopping place for the caravan trade between East and West. The town prospered and during the 18th and 19th century its wealthy inhabitants built mansions of sun-dried mud bricks, wood, and stucco, of which most are still standing today. Of course, the less fortunate inhabitants built less impressive homes. In this period, Safranbolu's architecture influenced urban development throughout much of the Ottoman Empire.

Sights and Photos

Present Safranbolu owes its fame to a large number of its still intact Ottoman mansions. Not only its architecture but also the old way of life seems to have stayed largely intact. In 1994, the town centre Çarşı was placed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List. Notable buildings in Safranbolu are the Cinci Han Kervan Saray, which now serves as a hotel annexe museum, and the 18th century Izzet Paşa Camii.