25.11.2025 20:32
Located 8 kilometers north of the center of Karabük, Safranbolu has been under protection since 1975 and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994. Notable for its Ottoman heritage buildings, narrow streets, historical mansions, and natural beauty, Safranbolu is referred to as "Italy of Turkey." In recent years, the district has experienced an influx of visitors and has become a popular destination for domestic tourists.
The color of saffron, the strength of iron, and the magic of nature make Karabük, located in northwestern Turkey, stand out on travel lists with its Safranbolu district. The city offers visitors a journey intertwined with both history and nature, featuring the Ottoman heritage of Safranbolu, its plateaus, canyons, and traditional handicrafts. Safranbolu, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List with its caravanserais, baths, mosques, and mansions from the Ottoman period, is known as the "city where time stands still."
"TURKEY'S ITALY" SAFRANBOLU Every year in October, a "Saffron Festival" is held in Safranbolu, which historian and author Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı describes as "Turkey's Italy." The festival aims to promote the saffron flower, which has been used for centuries in the medical, cosmetic, and gastronomic worlds and is also the namesake of Safranbolu. During the festival, saffron harvesting activities, the promotion of local delicacies, exhibitions, and various cultural-artistic activities highlight Safranbolu's cultural heritage, traditions, and natural riches.
Located 8 kilometers north of the Karabük city center, Safranbolu has been under protection since 1975 and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994. Hıdırlık Hill, which has outstanding examples of 18th and 19th-century civil Ottoman architecture, is one of the best spots to view the panoramic landscape of the city. The hill, where important ceremonies were held during the Ottoman period, is a popular destination for visitors and photography enthusiasts, featuring observation terraces and historical tombs. The hill, where the first Turks settled in Safranbolu, is also known as an important site for rain prayers and Hıdırellez celebrations.
In Safranbolu, the Yemeniciler Arastası, famous for leather craftsmanship since the Ottoman period, sells handmade slippers and leather products. The Demirciler Bazaar continues the traditional blacksmithing art, while the Sipahioğlu Arastası features unique handicrafts, copper and wooden products, and local souvenirs. The Kazdağlı Square and its surroundings, with shops selling local delicacies like Turkish delight and saffron, as well as boutique cafes and restaurants, can be explored.
MAYORS' MUSEUM HOUSE The Mayors' Museum House is one of the most original examples of Ottoman residential architecture in Safranbolu. Built in the late 18th century, the three-story mansion belonged to Hacı Mehmet Efendi, a high-ranking official of the time. The building, now organized as a museum, showcases Safranbolu's traditional way of life, clothing culture, kitchenware, and examples of wood craftsmanship. Visitors have the opportunity to closely observe both the architectural details and the daily life culture of Safranbolu.
KÖPRÜLÜ MEHMET PASHA MOSQUE The mosque, built by one of the important statesmen of the Ottoman period, Grand Vizier Köprülü Mehmet Pasha, dates back to 1661-1662. In the mosque's courtyard, there is a sundial. The sundial, surrounded by iron railings and placed on a stone base, shows the time of day in Arabic numerals.
YÖRÜK VILLAGE Yörük Village has gained fame as one of the rare settlements that has preserved traditional Turkish village life and architecture almost intact to this day. Located about 11 kilometers from Safranbolu, the village draws attention with its stone and wooden mansions, which are unique examples of Ottoman civil architecture. The village was protected by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1997 due to its authenticity as a real Türkmen village and the grandeur of its historical structures. The village, which dates back to the 16th century, has 93 registered artifacts.
It is known that some artists, writers, and journalists have purchased and restored mansions in Yörük Village, captivated by the traditional Safranbolu architecture. There are also famous individuals with roots in Yörük Village. Upon entering the village, you can find the statue of music artist Leyla Gencer in Çökön Square, as well as the grandmother of famous presenter Gülgün Feyman and renowned fashion designer Cemil İpekçi, who is a relative of Gencer.
ESKİPAZAR HADRIANOPOLIS ANCIENT CITY The Hadrianopolis Ancient City in Eskipazar stands out as one of Karabük's important archaeological sites. Believed to have been established in the 1st century BC, the city became one of the region's religious and commercial centers during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
The mosaics uncovered during excavations in the city, especially the bird and deer church mosaics, are among the best-preserved examples of early Christianity in Anatolia. The city also features baths, a theater, remnants of walls, aqueducts, and vaulted structures. Hadrianopolis is an important stop for both archaeology enthusiasts and cultural tourism, and is also referred to as the "Zeugma of the Black Sea."
"HADRIANOPOLIS IS ONE OF THE RARE CITIES IN ANATOLIA THAT BRINGS TOGETHER NATURE AND HISTORY" The head of the excavation team, Associate Professor from the Department of Archaeology at Karabük University, Dr.Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş stated in an interview with AA correspondent that the rescue excavation in Hadrianopolis began in 2003, and scientific excavations started in 2006.
Emphasizing the importance of the city, Çelikbaş explained: "Archaeological studies in Anatolia have been ongoing for about 100-150 years. However, these studies have generally concentrated in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions. Therefore, we see that scientific activities were not prioritized in these areas in the past. When we started working here, we had not been able to reach any historical information based on concrete archaeological data in this region, which we call Paphlagonia, that is, in the inner parts of the Western Black Sea. After we began our work here, the excavations started to provide us with significant data that would illuminate the history of the region, especially Hadrianopolis."
Çelikbaş noted that settlement and habitation activities began in the region approximately 6,000 years ago, stating, "So far, we have completed excavation work on 9 structures, some completely and some partially. We have opened five of them to the public with various restoration and conservation efforts. We have also completed our walking paths. Our visitor center is finished. Currently, our visitors can comfortably explore and see the areas that have been excavated and opened to the public."
Çelikbaş pointed out that visitors will also be able to see the mosaics in the city that have been restored, stating, "Hadrianopolis is one of the rare cities in Anatolia that brings together nature and history. Additionally, unlike the cities in the Aegean and Mediterranean, it is actually one of the rare cities that showcases local culture and art."
SUGAR CANYON Sugar Canyon, located in the Yenice district of Karabük, is one of the most impressive natural formations in the region. The canyon, approximately 6.5 kilometers long, is a favorite among nature enthusiasts with its steep cliffs, rich vegetation, and the clear Sugar Stream flowing through it.
The canyon is part of the Yenice Forests ecosystem and is considered one of the most valuable areas in Europe in terms of biodiversity. There are suitable trails in the area for hiking, camping, photography, and nature observation.
LIME TREE TERRACE Located in the Yenice district, Lime Tree Terrace has gained fame as a nature and tourism spot known for its scenic views. The terrace gets its name from the lime trees that surround it.
Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the canyons, forests, and valleys from the terrace. The area also stands out with its hiking trails, photography spots, and picnic areas.
With the recent environmental arrangements in the area, cafeterias, walking paths, and viewing platforms have also been added. The Plant Museum established in the region offers a learning space intertwined with nature, providing an opportunity for student groups, researchers, and nature photographers to explore the biological richness of Yenice.