History
Karabük owes its identity as a city to the foundation of Turkish Republic. The city, then a small village with 13 households of Öğlebeli and a district of Safranbolu within the border of Zonguldak Province in 1927, has become famous both in Turkey and world-wide since the establishment of the Steel and Iron Factory in 1937. Now it is an industrialized city as well as a university city.
Karabük is located in the valleys where Araç and Soğanlı Streams join and form the Yenice River. Karabük is neighbouring Bartın in the North, Zonguldak in the West, Çankırı and Bolu in the South and Kastamonu in the East. Karabük is situated among the valleys and plateaus. Although the altitude of the City is 280m, there are surrounded by high hills and mountains in the near surrounding with the height of 2000m and the plateaus with the height of between 1000 and 1500m. The area of the city is 4363km, and its 68 % is covered with forests. Hence it takes its place among very green places of our country. The streams running from the North Mountains have filled the area with alluvial soil. The lowest point is 300 meters and the highest point is 1750 meters.
Karabuk has several districts. One of the biggest districts of Karabük is Safranbolu. It is in the east of Karabük, and it is about 600 meters high. The geological formation of Safranbolu is interesting. Along with deep and long canyons, there are big caves and streams coming out of the caves on the slopes of the hills. Tokatlı, Akçasu and Bulak rivers pass through the city forming three separate canyons, and they unite with the Araç River.
Eflani, another district, which is in the northeast of the city, is also a plateau cut by tiny streams. The territory of Eskipazar, a small district, is inclined towards the Meğri Mount. The height increases near its Ovacık-Çerkeş border. Average height around Eskipazar is about 740m. Dominant landform is limestone formed during the Geological era III. Sand and clay layers are seen. There are rich deposits such as marble in Safranbolu and Eflani.
Places to see
Göktepe Nature Park: This park is located in the Yenice District. It has advantages like natural beauties, suitable climate and clean air and convenient reaching. The plateau is suitable for sportive activities, camping and caravan tourism.
Gökpınar Relaxation Resort: This resort is located inside the poplar forest region of Yenice district, on a mountain peak called as Gökpınar plateau.
Çetiören Promenade Place: This promenade place is located at 10 km. distance to the Eskipazar district. The area has rich fauna and flora and wild life. The area has unique beauties. The music and oiled wrestling festival is arranged at the second weekend of August each year.
Eğriova Promenade Place: This promenade place is located at 25 km distance to Eskipazar district in the locality of Eğriova with 12.000 m2 surface areas and an artificial lake with 5 m. depth. It is a suitable place for trekking and camping purposes.
Bulak (Mencilis) Cave: This cave is located at the Bulak village. With its 6.5 km length, it is the 4th largest cave of our country. The cave is a natural wonder with its stalagmites, stalactite travertine, small lakes and Underground River.
Other various caves inside the city borders are located in the Sipahiler village with 61 stairs, and the Hızar cave is located inside the borders of Safranbolu district.
İncekaya Aqueduct: This aqueduct is about 116 meters in Safranbolu.
Amasra is a charming, relatively undeveloped fishing town built on a fortified peninsula that just out into the Black Sea. Founded in the 12th century BC, the Byzantines named Amasra Seasamos Amastris after the Persian Princess Amastris. Amasra's Archaeological Museum houses local artifacts from Hellenistic through Ottoman periods, including an interesting ethnographic collection
The ruins of the ancient Hadrianapolis City had been discovered inside the borders of the Eskipazar district was assumed to be founded in BC 64, in the Roman civilization period.
Safranbolu Houses constructed in the style of the traditional Turkish architecture. There are approximately 2000 traditional Turkish houses at the district centre constructed at the beginning of 18th and 19th century.
Cultural tourism has been developing rapidly recently. Safranbolu is 8 kms away from Karabuk.
The History of Safranbolu, located in the north western region of Anatolia, and known as "Paphlagonia" in ancient times, dates back as far as 3000 BC. Safranbolu has hosted many civilizations including the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman Empires throughout its history.
Safranbolu which received its name from the saffron flower so intensely colourful that one grain of powdered saffron imparts a distinctly yellow tint that can dye liquid as a hundred thousand times of its own weight. Safranbolu has hosted many civilizations including the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman Empires throughout its history. It is known that Safranbolu was conquered by the Turks in 1196. Dadibra, Zalifre, Taraklıborlu and Zagfiranborlu are the best known ancient names of Safranbolu.
Safranbolu is a unique sample city reflecting the traditional Turkish social life in an urban texture and laying its historical and cultural values to human being. In 1994 Safranbolu was placed in the world Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO in appreciation of the successful efforts in the preservation of its heritage as a whole. Safranbolu, consisting of two sections as winter (Çarşı) and summer (Bağlar) resorts, has got 1127 works of art containing historical houses, small and big mosques, fountains, tombs bridges, and inns, baths all of which are under protection in their natural and environmental texture. Historical houses which make Safranbolu distinctive both in Turkey and worldwide have been constructed in accordance with the perfect architectural style reflecting the traditional Turkish social life, economy ,culture ,technology and life style of the 17 and 18th centuries. Safranbolu is the focus of interest for the developing tourism concept and a museum city which must be survived by protecting its texture.
Eskipazar is one of the touristic attractions of the city with its historical background, natural beauties and natural sources forming the landscape. The ruins (remnants) 4 km away from the town and hosting at least 4 civilizations are some of the most precious touristic values of Eskipazar. The most important residential area belonging to the Roman Period in the near surrounding is Hadrianapolis ancient city within the borders of Eskipazar. The original name of this city was Kaisareis Proseilemmenitar and in AD 126 it received its latter name. Although the date of the foundation of the city was not known exactly, it is thought that it dates back to BC 64. Eskipazar is located 35 kms away from Karabük. There are forests with Scotch pine, Beech and Fir where the Black Sea Region climate is dominant. The altitude of the town is 710m.