Safranbolu (Greek:Σαφράμπολις, Saphrampolis) is a town inKarabük Province in theBlack Sea region ofTurkey. It is the seat ofSafranbolu District.[2] Its population is 52,999 (2022).[1] It is about 9 km north of the city ofKarabük, 200 kilometres (120 mi) north ofAnkara and about 100 km south of theBlack Sea coast. The town's historic names inGreek wereTheodoroupolis (Θεοδωρούπολις, i.e. city of Theodorus or female Theodora) and laterSaphrampolis (Σαφράμπολις). Its former names inTurkish wereZalifre andTaraklıborlu. It was part ofKastamonu Province until 1923 andZonguldak Province between 1923 and 1995. The town lies at an elevation of 508 m (1,667 ft).[3]
According to the Ottoman General Census of 1881/82-1893, thekaza of Safranbolu had a total population of 52,523, consisting of 49,197 Muslims and 3,326Greeks.[4]
The Old Town preserves many historic buildings, with 1008 registered historical artifacts. These are: 1 private museum, 25mosques, 5 tombs, 8 historical fountains, 5Turkish baths, 3caravanserais, 1 historical clock tower, 1 sundial and hundreds of houses and mansions. Also, there are mounds of ancient settlements, rock tombs and historical bridges. The Old Town is situated in a deep ravine in a fairly dry area in the rain shadow of the mountains. The New Town can be found on the plateau about two kilometers west of the Old Town.
The name of the town derives from "saffron" and the Greek wordpolis (πόλις) meaning "city",[5][6] since Safranbolu was a trading place and a center for growing saffron.[5][6] Today, saffron is still grown at the village of Davutobası to the east of Safranbolu, with a road distance of 22 kilometres.[5][6]
Safranbolu was added to the list ofUNESCO World Heritage sites in 1994 due to its well-preservedOttoman era houses and architecture.[7]
Ali Gümüş (1940–2015), President of the Wrestling Commission of the International Sports Press Association (Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive, AIPS), journalist and author
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