The History of Safranbolu based on the documents dating back to Byzantian period (395-1453). Safranbolu Dadybra was an important fortress ( Aktaria ) againts the raids of Muslim Arabs during the Byzantian period. The town was called Dadybra in that period, and later on called as Zalifre in 1996 in Seljuk period. During the principality and early Ottoman period, its name was changed into Borglu and then Borlu . When we study 16 th century Ottoman written surverys of the province we note that the name Borlu became Taraklıborlu hence Taraklı tribe settled in the region.

In the Ottaman period the subsequent names of Safranbolu following Taraklıborlu were Zağfiran-ı Borlu in mid 18 th century, Zağfira-ı Benderli for a short time in the second half of the 19 th century, Zağfiranbolu in the last quarter of the 19 th century, and finally Zafranbolu and Safranbolu.

As the city takes its name from this flower and as it is still grown in the area, it will be appropriate to dwell in more detail on saffron. Having dyeing and medicinal properties, saffron is used in pharmaceuticals, dyeing and also as a flavouring in cooking. It is capable of colouring water a hundred thousand times its weight.