Safranbolu Chocolate Museum

Safranbolu Chocolate Museum opened on 08.08.2019 in the district of Safranbolu, which belongs to Karabük Province and is listed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. ^【1】The museum was established by Mesut Kırımlı, a Safranbolu entrepreneur and chocolate master who received gastronomy training abroad. The institution’s commercial activities are carried out under the company name "My Chocolate". ^【2】

^{İç Kısım} (ODÖO)

The official opening ceremony was held as part of the 20th International Golden Saffron Documentary Film Festival, with the participation of the Deputy Governor of Karabük, the District Governor of Safranbolu, and the Mayor. ^【3】

The museum is built on a total area of 500 square meters. ^【4】Structurally, it consists of three main units:

1- Exhibition hall,

2- Chocolate production workshop,

3- Cafe/sales section.

Visitors reach the exhibition hall through the cafe/sales section. The rectangular exhibition hall and the chocolate production area are separated by a glass partition; this design enables visitors to observe the chocolate production process.^【5】

The museum displays scale models of Safranbolu’s historical, tourist, and natural features, all crafted entirely from chocolate at a 1/10 scale. The exhibited models include the following structures and sites:

• Historical Structures: Cinci Han and Hamam, Clock Tower, Government Mansion, Kaymakamlar Gezi Evi, İzzet Mehmet Paşa Camii, Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Camii, Lütfiye (Kaçak) Camii, Ulu Camii (Hagios Stephanos Church), İncekaya Aqueduct, Asmazlar Mansion’s Courtyard with Pool, and examples of historical street fountains.
• Natural and Tourist Features: Bulak Mencilis Cave, Hıdırlık Hill, Crystal Glass Terrace, and saffron flower models.^【6】

Inside the museum, there is also a chocolate fountain pool maintained at a specific temperature, continuously flowing from a tap. Only chocolate material has been used in the construction of all models.^【7】

^{İç Kısım} (ODÖO)

In the museum’s exhibition area, portraits made of chocolate of leaders who played roles in Türkiye’s political history and notable local figures from Safranbolu are displayed.

Among these are portraits of political figures such as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Adnan Menderes, Bülent Ecevit, Süleyman Demirel, Turgut Özal, Alparslan Türkeş, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Devlet Bahçeli, as well as prominent Safranbolu individuals known in the fields of art and commerce.^【8】

The Safranbolu Chocolate Museum is a commercial and tourism initiative. According to available sources, it does not hold the status of a "special museum" under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.^【9】

The museum is open to visitors daily from 09:00 to 19:30. Admission to the museum is charged.^【10】