Safranbolu Safranbolu, an Ottoman city located on the main trade route between the east and west, has stood the test of time and continues to display a unique blend of topography and historic architecture. The city's strategic location brought great wealth through trade, leading to the establishment of a standard in urban development that influenced the wider parts of the Ottoman Empire. Records show that the area was occupied since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the rock-cut tombs. Turkish People took over the town during the 11th century and it quickly grew into a significant city on the main trade route. Some of the surviving buildings from this time include the Old Mosque, Old Bath, and Suleyman Pasha Medresse, all built in 1322 AD. During the 17th century, the caravan trade reached its peak, and many of the buildings from that period still stand today. These include the Cinci Inn, which boasts 60 guestrooms (built between 1640-48), Koprulu Mosque (1661), and Izzet Pasha Mosque (1796). There are also many stores, stables, and baths. The Old Town of Safranbolu has preserved many old buildings, with 1008 registered historical artifacts, including 25 mosques, 5 tombs, 8 historical fountains, 5 Turkish baths, 3 caravanserais, 1 historical clock tower, 1 sundial, and hundreds of houses and mansions. There are also mounds of ancient settlements, rock tombs, and historical bridges. The Old Town sits in a deep ravine in a dry area in the rain shadow of the mountains, while the New Town can be found on the plateau about two kilometers west of the Old Town. The town's name comes from the Greek word "polis" (city) and "saffron," as it was once a significant trading place for this prized spice. Saffron continues to be grown at Davutobası, 22 km east of Safranbolu, and is considered one of the best quality saffrons in the world. In recognition of its preservation of Ottoman-era houses and architecture, Safranbolu was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list in 1994.