Description

HALLICARNASSUS (BODRUM)

Bodrum – Caria’s prestigious harbour, home to Heredot, the ‘Father of History’, and the backdrop to more than 5000 years of human civilization. Home of the world’s first female admiral, Artemisia I, the setting for one of the ‘Sevn Wonders of the Ancient World’, the Mausoleum, an done of the earliest Anatolian amphitheatres. Originally called Halicarnassus, the place became known as ‘Petronium’ from which name ‘Bodrum’ evolved in the local dialect. In ancient myth, the spring of the water-nymph Salmakis (situated in present-day Bardakçı), was believed to be a life-giving source. The town has also had a long history of seafaring and exploration and in the early 20th century was known for sponge-diving. Now a popular holiday resort, Bodrum still retains much of its ancient magic and mystery, hidden deep within the castle walls, and still welcomes outsiders with the warmth and generosity typical of the Mediterranean people, as it has done for thousands of years.

TODAY’S BODRUM

Where culture and nature merge with entertainment – a land of eternal blue

Today’s Bodrum is a place where enjoyment and culture, natüre and modern amenities go hand in hand. Here, yo’ll find several blue flag beaches and three of the most prestigious marinas in the Mediterranean. The peninsula is sprinkled with dazzling White houses covered with shocking pink bougainvillea and lush greenery. You can find everything you need for shimmering nights and tranquil mornings in the Mediterranean. Bodrum’s glittering turquoise baysa re just waiting to be enjoyed…

BODRUM CASTLE

Discover one of the world’s most interesting museums in the footsteps of the knights of St John

The Knights of St John built the castle from the stone remnants of the ruined Mausoleum in the 1500’s. For a time in its history, the castle served as a prison and now houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

The Museum of Underwater Archaeology

It contains the world’s richest collection of Eastern Mediterranean amphorae, and many other priceless artefacts, including the world’s oldest shipwreck, with the most valuable Cargo ever found, and the personal belongings of a princess who lived more than 2000 years ago. As you negotiate the dark, eerie stone staircase leading to the castle’s dungeons, worn away by the footsteps of tousands of people before you, its’s hard ignore the castle’s legacy, a magnificent building in its day, yet ingrained with the horrors of torture and slavery.

THE MAUSOLEUM

A monumental tomb on a World-first scale

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum gets its name from the Carian king Mausolus. It was destroyed by an eartquake, but in an early bit of recycling, the Knights of St John reutilised the stone when they built the Castle of St Peter. So in the castle walls, or in the halls of the present day museum halls, it’s not unusual to find a piece of stone that was originally part of the Mausoleum! To get some idea of the enormous scale of this monument to Mausolus, pay a visit to the Mausoleum Museum to see part of the remains of the foundations of the original structure.

THE ANCIENT AMPHITHEATRE

A thousand years on, the curtain’s still rising on this magnificent venue.

The amphitheatre is a product of the wealthiest period in Caria’s history. Overlooking the harbour from its superb location, it is once again a top venue for all sorts of performances, and plays host to a full summer programme of concerts and dance. This is one of the earliest examples of its kind in Anatolia and in its heyday it would have had seating for up to 10.000 people.

THE MYNDOS GATE

The last remnant of Halicarnassus combative past

The Myndos Gate is the last remaining part of the ancient city walls. Alexander the Great paid a heavy price in battle here, losing many of his troops’ lives, while the walls and gate stood firm, protecting the city. The moat outside the gate, which played a critical part in the city’s defence strategy, has been excavated, and the stonework carefully restored, with the adjacent information panels there providing a window on the town’s history.

ARTS AND CULTURE

For art lovers there is a number of art galleries in Bodrum organizing painting and sculpture exhibitions all year round. The mediecal castle’s open-air concert area is a superb venue for all kinf of performances throughout the summer. Turkish and international musicians, theatre groups, popstars and ballet companies use the castle stage for their enthralling performances. Another perfect venue for major culture events is the ancient theatre. The beauty of the performance together with the enchanting scenery of Bodrum’s harbour and castle can even be exceeded by the full moon coming up in a starry sky…

THE BLUE CRUISE

A Bodrum Classic

For a cruise round the area’s spectacular bays, offering history and culture on top of sea and sun, the locally made ‘gulet’ is the vessel of choice. Gulets, bodrum’s traditional wooden motor-sailers, are still endowed with the boat building traditions of a thousand years, but the modern gulet is now equipped to provide every conceivable comfort for the guests on boart. You can’t really appreciate the intense colours of the sea or the myriad stars of the night sky until you have been on a Blua Cruise, and it will change your idea of a holiday forever.

BOAT BUILDING

Throughout history, bodrum and its people have been involved with the sea, made their living from the sea and built boats. The traditional bodrum boat types are the ‘tirhandil’and the ‘gulet’. The gulet in particular has become the type of boat most requested along mediterranean shores and for the Blue Voyage. The construction of wooden gulets – whether using traditional methods or modern lamination techniques –continues in bodrum’s shipyards today in accordance with EU standards.

NIGHT LIFE

A great place to get out and enjoy…!

Bodrum’s as famous for its array of night life as it is for its heritage, and there’s no limit to the entertainment on offer here. It’s a place people come from all over the World to enjoy themselves, so you’ll quite likely meet people from places you’ve never heard of, and with completely different lifestyles. Create your own ‘exotic nights’ experience dance till the sun comes up, dine at sea under the stars, mix with the international jet-set in a chic restaurant, or just relax in a traditional Turkish taverna the choice is yours! Your days and nights blur into an unforgettable holiday experience…

GÜMBET

Bodrum’s liveliest nights, sunniest beaches and round the clock entertainment… It has to be Gümbet, the nearest resort to Bodrum centre. Once a small fishing bay, it’s now a packed holiday resort with places appealing to just about every pocket.

BİTEZ

Bitez lies at the heart of the peninsula’s tangerine groves, and the village is renowned for its charming stone cottages lurking among the citrus trees. It’s always quiet and relaxing here, and the bay is best known for its beatiful beach, which is ideal for watersports.

ORTAKENT

With its long sandy beach and a steady breeze, this is the place for fans of sailing and windsurfing. The village of Ortakent, located right in the middle of the peninsula, has some interesting design examples of privately owned buildings and a lively Street market. During the summer months, the beach section on the Yahşi side is particularly popular. An open-air concert stage on the beach attracts music lovers for cool, music-filled evenings.

TURGUTREİS

Turgutreis is the second largest settlement on the peninsula after Bodrum. Known for its superb sunsets and kilometre long beach, the town is the proud home of one of Europe’s largest marinas. The Saturday Street market is a major attraction, and not just for tourists. During the summer months the beaches are packed with sun and sea lovers, diving is set to become one of the most popular activities in Turgutreis, with plans for guided diving off the island of Yassıada, with its abundance of shipwrecks.

GÜMÜŞLÜK

This part of the peninsula is still special, and the tiny village has attracted many artists from the big cities, with homes and workshops among its citrus groves. But because of its protected status, new building is strictly limited in the area. In and around the bay liet he ruins of the ancient city of Myndos, and huge blocks of masonry are clearly visible through the shallow water, some forming part of the causeway leading to Rabbit Island which you can wade across. Locally caught fresh fish and seafood is legendary here too with Gümüşlük’s famous restaurants lining up to catch their customers…

GÜNDOĞAN

In Gündoğan, it’s the mountains that get your attention, with one half of the village located around a lovely bay and the other half on the edge of a pine forest. One of Gündoğan’s real treasures is the Peynirçiçeği Cave. Traces of human settlement dating back to the Chalcolithic era ( Copper age) has been found here. A short distance offshore lies Apostol or Aopostle Island, with its remarkable Byzantine church. The seafood restaurants on the shore lapped by gentle waves, are well worth a visit.

YALIKAVAK

Yalıkavak was once known for its windmilles, sponge divers and tangerine groves. Nowadays, its main attractions are a large weekly market, a cave still frequented by endangered Mediterranean seals, and a number of good seafood restaurants. You can be sure of a fresh breeze here even on the hottes of summer days. Yalıkavak is the perfect place to capture that ‘Mediterranean’ Feeling…

GÖLTÜRKBÜKÜ

Hot spot of the Turkish and international jet-set the restaurants, houses and beach club of the rich and famous are all here. Here’s your chance to swim, chill out or chat with them, or just take a boat and set off for your own dream beach along the Göltürkbükü coast.

YALIÇİFTLİK

The exit point of the peninsula, heading into the Gulf of Gökova. The most sophisticated holiday resorts are located around here and all have beatiful bays for swimming. Along the roadside you will find charming, traditional country restaurants surrounded by greenery.