Safranbolu is a little bit special. Two hours north of Ankara and seldom visited by foreign tourists it is arguably Turkey's finest example of Ottoman domestic architecture. The delightful houses of old Safranbolu have earned it a 'World Heritage Site' classification and its a lovely place to spend a day wandering around. The town was originally built around a sinkhole that has now been emptied of its mineral deposits. At one time it was composed of two towns with the Turkish community living on one side of the hole and the Greeks on the other. It is interesting to note that the architecture of both quarters is very similar with the fine 19th century konaks of farmers and business men resting on stone foundations and pushing their overhanging balconies out over the cobbled streets. To get a look at the interior of one of these houses you can go to the Kaymakamalar Evi Museum, up a little side street from the vegetable market. There you'll find a restored house open to visitors for a small fee. The tiny restaurant/cafe in the grounds serves the nicest Gozleme I've ever had.
what a great place, Alp! Congrats,,, lovely photograph with street leading to sunny glow of the cute Safranbolu town. i have distant relatives from Essauira... This moody shot made me smile. Thanks for sharing!
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