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Safranbolu - Culture

Safranbolu is located at west of Black Sea Region of Trkiye 65 kms inland from the sea and its coordinates are 41 degree 16 minute northern latitude, 32 degree 41 minute eastern longitude. Safranbolu is town of Karabk Province which is only 8 kms away from the centre of the city. It has been surrounded by Karabk (Central town, Ovack, Eflani), Bartn (Ulus) and Kastamonu (Ara).

It is possible to reach the town from three different roads. 82 kms long road to Karabk coming from Ankara-Istanbul highway separated at Gerede, continues from here for 8 kms and reachs Safranbolu. At the north of the town there is Bartn and at the east Kastamonu. It’s possible to reach Karabk city center by railways. Transportation by airways has not been established yet.

There ara hills and mountains where the town is located. The lowest point is 300 meters and the highest point is 1750 meters high. The lowest point at the city center is 400 meters and the highest point is 600 meters high. The area of the town is 1013 square kmand big part of it is covered with forests.
Ara and Sopanl brooks and Ovacuma creek are the branches of rivers, which pass through the town. Other then those there are numerous creeks, which make up big canyons although they do not have a lot of water.

Geological formation of the town is interesting. Along with deep and long canyons there are big caves and setreams coming out of the caves on the slopes of the hills. The center of the city is also located on an interesting geological formation. Tokatl, Akasu and Bulak rivers pass through the city forming three separate canyons and they unite with Ara River. It is possible to see buildings in Ara area built on the narrow section of these canyons.

The climate of Safranbolu shows the characteristics of a transition from Black Sea Region to Central Anotolia. The summers are hot, winters are cold, springs and falls are warm, cool and also quite long. It is rainy in spring, fall and winter. In the last a few years ?t has not rain in summer. Average rainfall in a year is 500 mm and the humidity is 60%. Average number of days of snowfall is 35.

The relations with Istanbul and Kastamonu, the experience acquired in trade and production and the economical power they have gained from all those have given shape to the development of Safranbolu. Two areas of high culture settlements, one for winter and one for summer living, emerged at ar and Baplar. As the result of this cultural accumulation and prosperity, Safranbolu reached the top at urbanization, quality of housing and human relations. Leather, kerchief, saddle, horse shoe making, blacksmith and coppersmith business, drapery, timber merchandising were popular businesses in Safranbolu. Those businesses were organized as guilds and separate market places.

Safranbolu have devoted its economic and human power to the country during The Independence War. Safranbolu supplied the shoes for the army during the war. They have also supplied great number of soldiers most of whom were killed in action.

Today the remains from the history of Safranbolu are; hfyks, sarchopaghi, relief sculptures and the Byzantine Temple at Sipahiler village. So far the excavations and researches around Haclarobas where quite many remains were found are not satisfactory. Church of Haglos Stephanos in Krankfy is beeing used as a mosque today and it is assumed that Thedora had it built. The remains other than those belong to the period of Turkish, especially Ottoman reign

Safranbolu displays its extremely rich historical and cultural heritage through 1008 architectural structures all preserved in their original environment. These structures include the public buildings such as Cinci Hodga Kervansaray and Cinci Hodga Hammam, Mosques of Koprulu Mehmet and Izzet Mehmet Pashas, The Tennaries Clock tower, Old hospital premises,The guild of shoe makers (Where my Grandfather worked up to the years of sixties),The Incekaya aqueduct, The old city hall and fountains as well as hundreds of private residences. Rock tombs and tumulus just outside the city are also of interest.

Safranbolu was placed in the world Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO in appreciation of the succesfull efforts in the preservation of its heritage as a whole. Safranbolu has deserved its real name for its houses where we lived for years.

These houses are perfect examples of old civil architecture,reflecting the Turkish social life of the 18th and 19th centuries. The size and the planning of the houses are deeply affected by the large size of the families in other words a total big family living together in one house. The impressive architecture of their roofs have led them to be called "Houses with five facades". The houses are two or three stored consisting of 6 to 9 rooms each room is intricately detailed and have ample window space allowing plenty of light. The delicate woodwork and carvings wall and ceiling Decorations, the banisters indoor knobs....all come together to form an unmatched harmony of architectural aesthetics Safranbolu has a beautiful nature along with its history and houses. This description is not a product of the wish to add variety to its tourism. As a matter of fact the natural beauty of Safranbolu is enough by itself for a place to attract attention. However the perfection of the traditional Turkish houses of Safranbolu, which turns the city into an open museum, makes the natural beauty less important.

Natural beauties of Safranbolu consist of forests, pasturages, canyons, caverns and special products of the area. The land is mostly covered with forests, which has different beauty in every season with wide variety of trees. It is possible to see all shades of yellow, red and green in the forests. Different altitudes create variety in climate and plants while making the place perfect for nature sports. Ahmet Usta and Uluyayla are the places where the beauty of the forest reaches the top.

Dense forests and heights make formation of big pastures possible. People who live in low altitudes move to pastures with their cattle in summertime. Wide pasturages among forests and the houses built there look beautiful and attractive for the visitors. Sariek and Uluyayla are the biggest pasturages of the area.

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