Safranbolu which is famous with its historical houses is established by an Ion Princess. The city and its surroundings has seen many civilizations like Roman, Byzantine, Seljukians and Ottoman. Safranbolu was an important roadhouse on the Kastamonu-Gerede-Istanbul part of the silk road.

Safranbolu was included in the "List of World Inheritance" bu UNESCO in 1994 and became a world city because of its success in protecting its natural heritage. Safranbolu has 1008 traces that are being protected in the natural tissue as an expression of the historical and cultural wealth. Rock Graves, mounds, Cinci Ýnn and Turkish Bath, Köprülü Mehmet Pacha Mosque, İzzet Mehmet Paşa Mosque, Yemeniciler Arastası, İncekaya Water Vault, Houses, Fountains and Tombs are some of the traces that has survived.

Safranbolu has won its first fame with its houses that have a traditional and special architecture. These houses are wonderful architecture samples that shows Turkish society life of 18th and 19th centuries. These splendid houses which carry the effects of crowded family structure, economic wealth and local climate properties are defined as "Five sided architecture" because of their roofs.



Safranbolu houses are buildings with 2-3 floors, 6-8 rooms, balconies, lots of windows in every room. In these buildings; esthetical use of stone, unbelievable quality of wood work, ornaments of wall and ceilings, pools inside the houses, stairs and door knockers...
All of them are magnificent.

In house settlement neighborhood was the most important thing people care. Narrow streets with Albanian pavement made people closer.

Safranbolu has very interesting natural beauties besides its historical dimension and houses. Saffron plant which can paint a liquid of 10 times heavier to yellow and gave its name to the city; grows in safranbolu and is very important for the city. The other famous crop of Safranbolu is Çavuş Grape. Safranbolu is besides known with its delight.

By introducing Safranbolu increasing interest develops tourism here. Today Safranbolu is an interest focus of cultural tourism.

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION

Safranbolu; is in the West Black Sea region and is 406 kms away from Istanbul, 240 kms. away from Ankara and 10 kms. from Karabük. A huge part of the road that connects Safranbolu to Ankara and Istanbul is highway.

The closest connection to the sea is 91 kms far touristic Inkumu and 97 kms far touristic Amasra.

In Safranbolu you can live four seasons.

Safranbolu is such a city center that you can have all kind of restaurants and hotel

I would be interested to know, if any new buildings have to be in keeping with the original features of the older buildings? In other words, new building have to look and be built in the same way as in the past. If so, are the trades men specifically trained?

no necessity i think...

Does this mean there are not planning rules for new buildings? I am interested to know about modern architecture and how it blends in with traditional and old architecture in such an important town.

i dont have specific ideas about that...i have been there before for about 2 weeks..and i havent seen any buildings that were being built like those which are old...

Sorry I thought perhaps you lived there!! Maybe someone else can answer - perhaps more general across Turkey.

yeah...but if you have plans to visit Turkey,i advise you

Dont worry I have a VEEEEEERRRRRRYYYY long list of places to see!! and not enough years to visit them.........

starting with???

Safranbolu is on my list this year!