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!
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