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Safranbolu Museum

Safranbolu Museum

A stone government house on Safranbolu's old castle hill, now a city-history museum beside a working 18th-century clock tower.

About the museum

The museum occupies the Old Government House, a stately three-level stone building on the hill where Safranbolu's castle once stood. An inscription over the door shows it was built in 1904, thanks to the governor of Kastamonu, Enis Pasha, the local district governor Mir Ahmet Bey and contributions from townspeople. It served as the seat of government until a big fire in 1976.

After restoration between 2000 and 2006, it opened on 8 February 2007 as a city-history museum. The exhibits deal with the story of Safranbolu and of the building itself, with maps, publications and satellite imagery, and the hall also hosts exhibitions and conferences.

The castle area holds more than the museum. Nearby stand the clock tower built in 1797 by Safranbolu-born grand vizier İzzet Mehmet Pasha, said to be the oldest in Anatolia still running on its original mechanism, an arsenal from 1890, an old prison from 1906 and the Castle Mosque of 1890. Together they make a compact, rewarding stop in this UNESCO-listed town.

Tips

  • Combine the museum with the clock tower and the other castle-hill buildings, all within a few minutes' walk.
  • The museum is closed on Mondays; confirm current hours on the official page.

Questions

When is Safranbolu Museum open?

According to the Ministry’s listing it opens at 08:30 and closes at 17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed: Monday.

Can I buy tickets for Safranbolu Museum on this site?

No. This site sells no tickets. Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia and Dolmabahçe Palace are sold on our sister sites; for Safranbolu Museum, buy at the ticket office or on the Ministry’s official e-ticket system.

Where is Safranbolu Museum?

Safranbolu Museum is in Karabük, Türkiye — Çeşme Mahallesi, Kale Meydanı No:1 Safranbolu / KARABÜK.

More museums in Karabük

Istanbul tickets online

Four Istanbul landmarks, each sold on its own site by the agency behind this guide — dated entry and free cancellation up to 24 hours.