Safranbolu is a beautifully-preserved town in Northern Türkiye. We are going to discover its rich history, uncover the secrets of the spice that gives it its name, and find out more about one of the deepest canyons in the world.
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00:00This is Safranbolu in northern Turkey.
00:06I'm here to explore the rich history of this beautifully preserved town and uncover the
00:12secrets of the precious spice that gives it its name.
00:20Safranbolu is in the Karabük province in the Black Sea region.
00:25The city's name comes from a rare flower growing here.
00:28We are going to talk about this in a while, but first I want to show you what's so particular
00:33about this museum town as they call it.
00:37It's typical Ottoman houses built starting from the 18th century.
00:56There are about 2,000 of these traditional houses with red roofs, stone walls, and lots
01:02of wooden details.
01:19Thanks to its outstanding universal values, the town was included in UNESCO's World Heritage
01:25List in 1994.
01:28In the oldest part of the town, it's impossible to miss the Gingian and the Gingia Mam.
01:33Dating back to the 17th century, the inn used to accommodate merchant traders on the Silk
01:39Road while the 450-year-old bathhouse offered them the chance to relax.
01:46And it's worth wandering among the tiny shops of the Yemeni Giler Bazar, where in the past
01:52the typical Yemeni leather shoes were produced.
01:55Today, only one master pursues this art.
02:01In case you haven't guessed already, the spice that gives Safranbolu its name is saffron.
02:07It's one of the most expensive spices in the world and I've come to this family-run farm
02:12to learn more about it.
02:15Saffron has been cultivated in many areas of Anatolia for thousands of years.
02:19Today, the particular saffron crocus of Safranbolu saffron, which has recently received a geographical
02:26indication and registration from the EU, is grown by about 30 farmers.
02:31It's said to be good for a wide range of disorders, such as neurodegenerative ones,
02:54depression and anxiety, hypertension, or to lead to better sleep.
02:59This farm produces approximately 20 kilograms per year of this spice, which costs over
03:047,000 euros per kilo.
03:07Is this a saffron bulb?
03:09Yes.
03:10We plant it in August.
03:11It blooms in October and November.
03:12The onions stay on the ground for three years.
03:13Then 12, 13, 15 of them sprout.
03:14They multiply.
03:15In the fourth year, we remove them from the ground, like in June, and we plant them again
03:16in August.
03:17Besides flavoring food, Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:18Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:19Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:20Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:21Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:22Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:23Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:24Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:25Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:26Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:27Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:28Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:29Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:30Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:31Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:32Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:33Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:34Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:35Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:36Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:37Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:38Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:39Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:40Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:41Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:42Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:43Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:44Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:45Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:46Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:47Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:48Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:49Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:50Safranbolu is also known as Safranbolu.
03:51We are in the Castamonu district, about 100 km from Safranbolu.
03:56It's right here that one of the deepest canyons in the world is located.
04:02The Valla Canyon starts at the crossroads of two rivers and stretches 12 km north.
04:09Adventuring in this canyon, whose cliff walls reach up to 1200 m in height, is not for everyone
04:15and it's important to do it only with an expert guide like Cemal.
04:20The feature of the canyon is that there is no return after entering the canyon and there is no exit from the side walls.
04:29The only exit is the point where the river comes out.
04:34If you are not into extreme sports, you can view the canyon from a brand new cliff swing and glass terrace.
04:41From charming streets to enticing red-gold and magnificent natural landscapes,
04:47Safranbolu and the Valla Canyon have been incredible destinations to explore.
04:52Gorushuros!