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| Safranbolu is a small town in the central north of Turkey, which is located in the 600 m high mountains above the sea. It connects the Black Sea coast with the inland area, so it prospered as a transit trade point in the Silk Road Age. Safranbolu, the name is said to originate from the fact that many saffrons grew in crowds in the town (safran = saffron / bol = many, much). Nowadays, saffrons do not grow as many as before, but it is still well-known as a saffron-producing district. As for saffron, it has red flower but its coloring matter is golden (saffron-yellow). It has been used as spice and dye since the ancient times. The old town of Safranbolu is called “carsi (cha-r-sh)” and old wooden houses, built in the Ottoman Empire, stand along the streets. These old private houses have unique design, the second floor part is much bigger than the first one. The first floor, which was mainly used for storeroom or cellar, is of hewn stone, the second and upper floors as residence are of wood. Small rooms are posted in the inside of the house, surrounding the space such as hall. This is because a bedroom was necessary for each couple while a large family lived together in old days. There were such devices in the room to guard the privacy of each couple as a simple bath in a closet and a wooden screen for hiding by the entrance. In addition, as Islam had a great influence then, the upper floor of the house was exclusively used for women and the lower one for men when they had guests at home. It is consideration for a woman not to see a man except her relatives. The old town is such a little area that you can walk around all over in approximately 30 minutes. Most alleys are covered in stone pavements and grape vine trellises which stretch above make cool shade even in midsummer. The traditional old shops of craftsmen stand side by side on the both sides of the alleys. Safranbolu is famous as a production center of Lokum (Turkish delight) and besides this, there are a lot of shops handling sweets particular to Turkey. Walking the alley, you may feel incidentally as if an age old time was passing. The old town, called “The most beautiful town in Turkey”, was registered with the world heritage of the UNESCO in 1994 by this unusual traditional architecture, the calm life and culture. You would feel comfortable here probably because there are not a few buildings used a lot of wood. On visiting Safranbolu, you may find it unique as many buildings are made of stone and concrete in Turkey. Your tiredness of travel should be healed by the state of the town creating an atmosphere of the Middle Ages, and heartwarming smile of the calm people. |
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Nihongo| Kaymakamlar Evi Altı No:4 Safranbolu - Karabük - Türkiye Tel: +90 370 712 3411 • Fax: +90 370 712 6910 • Mobil: +90 533 206 3721 |
Desgned By ABC MEDYA