Safranbolu City: General Information.

Safranbolu is a special city in Turkey. Located two hours away from Ankara near Zonguldak city is a vivid example of the Turkish Ottoman architecture. The known history of Safranbolu, located near the Black Sea coast and Anatolia dates back even to 3000 BC Initially, as a city of the Roman province Paflagoniya, Safranbolu through its history has sheltered many civilizations, including the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Ottoman Empire. During the Ottoman era the town was an important point on the route of the famous Silk Road Kastamonu - Guereda - Istanbul. Safranbolu was a popular residence of the Ottoman royal family, close to the Sultan and the great sight. The town got its name from the saffron, which grows in Safranbolu. Powdered saffron is produced from flowers, this is a very strong paint. Used in very small quantities, saffron gives a refined taste, distinctive aroma and a unique color of desserts and other food in the Turkish kitchen. Saffron is also used as a unique color for Turkish carpets. Also unique in Safranbolu is a grape with a very thin skin and sweet taste.
Safranbolu is extremely rich in historical and cultural heritage in the form of 1008 architecture, showing a wonderful example of Turkish architecture, which survived in its original environment. These facilities include public buildings, such as a caravanserai, a mosque Koprulu Mehmet, Izzet Pasha, the house - a tower, the old hospital, aqueduct, fountains, and hundreds of private homes.
In 1970, artists and photographers began to Turkey to draw attention to the historical gems of the city. In 1980, they recognized the value and the government pledged to keep them. It prohibited the construction of modern buildings near the historic structures, and local artisans devote all their strength and ability to restore the buildings. For successful attempts to preserve its heritage as a whole, Safranbolu is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Traditional Turkish houses - an excellent example of the old city's architecture, reflecting the Turkish social life of 18-19 centuries. The size and layout of the houses depended on the size of the family, in other words, all members of the extended family lived together in one house. The spectacular architecture of their roofs led to the house called the «house with five facades». It is two or Three houses, consisting of 6-9 rooms, each with many windows, and enough light. Exquisite work, and carved wooden walls, ceiling and room decorations railings, all of this together creates the harmony of architectural aesthetics and Turkish art.