Safranbolu is a picturesque small town located 115 km/ 71 miles north-east of Bolu.
From the 13th century till the 19th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan post. The old mosque, the medrese and hammams were built in 1322. The special architecture of the beautiful houses influenced the urban development of a large part of the Ottoman Empire. The impressive architecture of their rooves have led them to be called "Houses with five facades". The houses are two or three storeyed consisting of 6 to 9 rooms. Each room is intricately detailed and have ample window space allowing plenty of light. The delicate woodwork and carvings, wall and ceiling decoration, the banisters and the indoor knobs....all come together to form an unmatched harmony of architectural aestetics. The most important houses called “konak”(mansions) even have inner pools.
There are about 600 fountains in Safranbolu.

The town has been declared by UNESCO to be one of the Eminent Cultural Heritages of the World.
The Safranbolu Architectural Treasures and Folklore Week takes place every year in September.