Safranbolu is a Turkish town with fabulous Ottoman houses where “red gold” grows in abundance

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In this episode of Explore Türkiye, Euronews presenter Cinzia Rizzi visits the charming north of the country. She is in Safranbolu, a “museum town” with typical Ottoman houses. Thanks to its outstanding universal values, the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.

Strolling through the streets of Safranbolus, you can feel like you are in a fairy tale, with the houses, which began to be built at the beginning of the 18th century, remained well preserved. Cinci Han – now a hotel – used to provide accommodation for traders on the Silk Road, while the Cinci Hamamı bathhouse offered them a place to relax.

Safranbolus’ name derives from its connection to saffron, one of the world’s most expensive spices. Today, around 30 farmers grow Safranbolu Safranı saffron crocus, which recently received geographical indication registration from the EU. Cinzia visits a family-run farm to learn more about the so-called “red gold” that can be used to flavor food, dye, cosmetics and medicines.

In this Turkish region, nature also takes center stage thanks to several impressive canyons. In the Kastamonu district, about 100 km from Safranbolu, lies one of the deepest canyons in the world: Valla Canyon, which stretches 12 km to the north and whose cliff walls reach up to 1200 m in height. Once you enter the canyon, the only way to get out is to cross it until you reach the end.