Safranbolu Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Safranbolu
Municipality
Town of Safranbolu
Safranbolu Location in Turkey
Country	Turkey
Province	Karabük
District	Safranbolu
Elevation	508 m (1,667 ft)
Population (2022)	52,999
Time zone	TRT (UTC+3)
Area code	0370
Climate	Cfa

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Cultural: ii, iv, v
Inscription	1994 (18th Session)
Area	193 ha

Safranbolu is a charming town located in the Karabük Province of Turkey. It is part of the Black Sea Region and is known for its rich history. The town is home to about 52,999 people, based on 2022 numbers.

Safranbolu is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) north of the city of Karabük. It is also about 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The Black Sea coast is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the south. The town sits at an elevation of 508 meters (1,667 feet) above sea level.

In the past, Safranbolu had different names. In Greek, it was called Theodoroupolis and later Saphrampolis. Its older Turkish names were Zalifre and Taraklıborlu. The town was part of different provinces over time, including Kastamonu Province and Zonguldak Province, before becoming part of Karabük Province.

Discovering Safranbolu's History
- Why is Safranbolu Called That?
- Safranbolu as a World Heritage Site
Exploring the Old and New Towns
- The Historic Old Town
- The Modern New Town
Connections with Other Cities
Famous People from Safranbolu
Images for kids
See also

Discovering Safranbolu's History

Safranbolu has a long and interesting past. Records from the Ottoman General Census between 1881 and 1893 show that the area had a population of 52,523 people. Most of these were Muslims, along with a group of Greeks.

Why is Safranbolu Called That?

The name Safranbolu comes from two words: "saffron" and the Greek word polis, which means "city". This is because Safranbolu was once a very important place for trading and growing saffron. Saffron is a valuable spice known for its unique color and flavor. Even today, saffron is still grown in a nearby village called Davutobası, about 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) east of Safranbolu.

Safranbolu as a World Heritage Site

In 1994, Safranbolu was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. This is a special recognition given to places that have outstanding universal value. Safranbolu earned this title because it has many well-preserved houses and buildings from the Ottoman Empire era. These buildings show the unique architecture and way of life from that time.

Exploring the Old and New Towns

Safranbolu is divided into two main parts: the Old Town and the New Town.

The Historic Old Town

The Old Town of Safranbolu is like a living museum. It has more than 1,000 historical buildings that are officially protected. These include:

One private museum
25 mosques (places of worship for Muslims)
5 tombs
8 historical fountains
5 Turkish baths (traditional bathhouses)
3 caravanserais (inns for travelers and traders)
1 historical clock tower
1 sundial
Hundreds of old houses and mansions

You can also find ancient settlement mounds, rock tombs, and old bridges in the area. The Old Town is located in a deep valley, which is quite dry because the surrounding mountains block the rain.

The Modern New Town

The New Town of Safranbolu is located on a plateau. It is about two kilometers (1.2 miles) west of the Old Town. This part of the town has more modern buildings and facilities.

Connections with Other Cities

Safranbolu has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities" and they help promote cultural exchange and friendship.

Elabuga, Russia
Ohrid, North Macedonia

Famous People from Safranbolu

Many notable people have come from Safranbolu, including:

Karabaşzade Hüseyin Efendi (Cinci Hoca) - He was an important mentor to Sultan İbrahim in the 17th century.
Safranbolulu Izzet Mehmet Pasha - He served as a very high-ranking official called a Grand Vizier in the Ottoman Empire from 1794 to 1798.
Türker İnanoğlu (born 1936) - A well-known film producer.
Ali Gümüş (1940–2015) - A journalist and author who was also the President of the Wrestling Commission for a major international sports press association.