Reporting from enchanting Safranbolu history city in Black Sea Region in Turkey,
Katia Freire
Specialist in Tourism of Culture and Arts
Safranbolu City / Black Sea Region – Turkey
The mission of my visit to Safranbolu city in the Black Sea region in Turkey is to promote its Culture, its Buildings from the Ottoman Empire and its Folklore on behalf of UNESCO which gave its patronage to the city in 1994.
This is my second visit in the city, and I have to say that people from the Directorate of Culture and Social Affairs have improved public services and the infrastructure. For example, there are new signs accross the city center and neighboorhoods, with full coloured maps and indications of how to reach the turistic points of interest. They have also three new city-cars used by the Municipality to their guests, very colorful and charming, patterned with illustrations of their houses ! Quıte funny!
Safranbolu Houses exist and survive for more than 200 of years, in a process that continues to live in this Turkish city of culture. These houses today are the most important building blocks in its style. Across the district there are 2000 traditional Turkish houses, which were built in 18th,.19th an early 20th century. About 800 of these masterpieces are under legal protection. These houses were divided into two groups: he first to be used by the family during winter time – the “City” Houses; the second -"Bağlar – used .during Summer.
People from the Municipality is committed with the preparations of the furthercoming Film Festival that will take place in September, from 16th to 18th. And the very good news ıs that this time they are dealing with some İtalian Documentary and Amatorial Film Festivals in order to exchange coverage of the event with European Film Journalists. For ınfo and contacts: www.safranbolu.bel.tr
Safranbolu city takes its name from Saffron flower ( Zaafaran): the most expensive plant on earth. This plant is still being cultivated in the surroundings of the District. Seen the gastronomic value and appeal of the Safron, it deserves a new article completely dedicated to its wonders ! |