The region is know to have been as Paphlagonia in the ancient times. Hitites, Phrygians indirectly Lydians, Pesians, Ponds, Romans, Seljuks, Çobanoğulları, and Ottomans respectively had the power in the region.

Safranbolu was conquered by the Turks in 1196 at the period of Muhiddin Mesut Şah, son of Kılıç Arslan II the Seljuk Sultan. Through out the history Safranbolu was ruled by Çobanoğulları between 1213-1280, Candaroğulları between 1326-1354 and Ottomans between 1354-1402. After a short while it was renconquered by the Ottomans in 1423.

The Culturel, economic and social structure of the city reached its highest level between 17 th - 19 th centuries. It is possible to see the buildings in the mentioned years in its original environmental form. Cinci Inn, Cinci Bath, Köprülü Mehmet Pahsa Mosque, Kazdağlıoğlu Mosque, İzzet Mehmet Pahsa Mosque, Dağdalen Mosque, Tokatlı Bridge, İncekaya Aquaduct (arch), Clock Tower, Historical Fountains, Hidayetullah Mosque, Bazaars, arches are the witnesses of the period.

Kazasker Cinic Hoca, Grand Vizier İzzet Mehmet Pahsa, Grand Captain Salih Pahsa who grew up in Safranbolu in this period enabled close relationsships between Safranbolu and the Otoman Palace. Even famous Grand Vizier Köprülü Mehmet Pahsa was exiled to Safranbolu for a period. Especially the building of Cinci Caravanserai improved the economy of the city in terms of trade production, traditional handicraft, enriched the social life of the city.