Around the Old Town
Safranbolu is a well preserved Ottoman town and is also famous for saffron which is grown in the nearby area. I spent the day walking around town and finally going up to the viewpoint.
It is quite touristy amongst domestic tourists and also Koreans, Taiwanese and Chinese. I suppose there are many Europeans too, but the blend in too well with the Turks. Many Turkish people here are very light-skin and many are blonde. If it weren’t for so many of them with headscarves on, I would have mistaken them as Europeans.
With the touristy nature, there are lots of knick-knacks for sale: knitting, Turkish Delight (saffron flavoured being the local specialty), handmade soaps (again saffron scented ones) and miniature Ottoman homes.
The town seems to be a popular place for weddings. I saw four plus a funeral. I noticed a coffin was in use during the funeral; I believe Muslims can’t use coffins (body is shrouded and placed in the ground).
The coffin was marked as property of the city council, so I guess it is just a multi-use carrycase for the corpse. Good idea as having been involved with two funerals in recent years, they’re completely overpriced compared to, say, a cupboard!
Unsuccessful haircut attempt
I tried getting a haircut today. My hair isn’t exactly long but if I leave it more than a week, I’ll have to pay UK prices in Scotland. So I’m trying to pre-empt that. Armed with Google-translated instructions, I went to the hairdresser who sent me to his brother (in another shop) who spoke some English. He said, “My friend, your hair is already short” and suggested that he couldn’t do anything for me.
Sampling etiquette and ethics
I rounded off dinner by walking around town seeking a free cube of Turkish Delight from confectionery staff who stand outside their shop with samples. I have an ethical stand of not taking more than one sample from each shop so I had to walk a fair bit in order not to repeat. I can’t justify buying a box for myself with all that sugar!
Parting thoughts on Safranbolu
Overall, while I enjoyed Safranbolu, I thought that Berat in Albania was very similar. In some ways I had a better time there at a great hostel which was in an old Ottoman home, and with great company drinking local wine in the hostel’s garden. Aaaah … happy memories!
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- Ottoman houses are typically white with brown wooden frames. Sometimes the plaster wears away and you can see the beams and frames.
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- Ottoman houses are typically white with brown wooden frames. Sometimes the plaster wears away and you can see the beams and frames.
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- Ottoman houses are typically white with brown wooden frames. Sometimes the plaster wears away and you can see the beams and frames.
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- Close-up of Ottoman house.
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- The colourful alleys of Safranbolu.
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- The colourful alleys of Safranbolu.
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- The colourful alleys of Safranbolu.
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- The colourful alleys of Safranbolu.
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- The colourful alleys of Safranbolu.
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- Turkish delight shop.
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- Turkish delight shop.
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- Turkish delight.
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- Fake kid on fake horse to attract real kids to the man making candy (background).
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- In Ottoman homes, a revolving cabinet allows women to hand food out to the male dining parties without being seen.
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- The mosque.
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- Interior of the mosque.
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- Interior of the mosque.
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- Courtyard of old caravanserai.
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- Roof of old hammam.
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- Garlic at the market.
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- Safranbolu from the viewpoint.
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- Safranbolu from the viewpoint.
