BVA

Old Town, view across the Akçasu River ravine

Safranbolu, Turkey

Safranbolu is a town in north central Anatolia known for its role as a trading center on a caravan route to Istanbul during Ottoman times. The town history began in prehistoric times, its name derives from the local production of the spice saffron. In 1994 Safranbolu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since the city fabric from the 13th to the 19th centuries has been well preserved. The majority of surviving dwellings were constructed between the 17th and 19th century. The deep ravines were formed by the river erosion of the soft limestone strata.
(photo 1994)