Safranbolu's fate shaped by UNESCO inclusion

The Black Sea province of Karabük's Safranbolu district, which is famous for its well-preserved historical structures such as Ottoman-era wood houses, mosques, inns, baths, fountains, tombs and guilds, entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Since then, the district has welcomed 3 million tourists in 22 years. 

Safranbolu's identity changed after it gained world heritage status, as the historical mansions in the district became prominent once more with developments in tourism, the restoration of disorganized cobblestone streets and monumental structures and the revival of nearly forgotten handicrafts.

Thanks to its success in protecting the riches of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, Safranbolu became one of the world's best preserved cities and increased its importance for UNESCO. 

The district, which is home to renowned structures such as the Cinci Hanı Bath; Köprülü Mehmet Paşa, İzzet Mehmet Paşa, Dağdelen, Hidayetullah and Kaçak (Lütfiye) mosques; İncekaya Aqueduct; Old Government Mansion and Clock Tower; historical fountains and bazaars, celebrates the anniversary of its inclusion on the UNESCO list every year on Dec. 17. 

Safranbolu Mayor Necdet Aksoy said the district was inscribed as a rural protected site in 1976 before opening its doors to the world after it entered the UNESCO list. 

"Twenty-two years ago on Dec. 17, Safranbolu was given world heritage status. As a result of our struggle against modernization that started in the 1950s, today we have a world heritage. The district has progressed. Nearly 1,500 artifacts and historical structures under protection have been restored and revived," he said. 

Far Eastern tourists 

Aksoy said acquisition of UNESCO World...