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Bodrum, or Halicarnassus as it was
known, was made the capital of the ancient Province of Caria by Mausolus,
who is remembered today through the word mausoleum. One of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World, its site is now an Underwater Museum.
The Roman theatre overlooks the town from above the mausoleum , and at
sunset, past and present seem to merge in this romantic setting. When the
Knights of St. John built the castle in the early 15th century, they used
many of the stones from the already ruined mausoleum. These green tinged
blocks may still be seen in the castle walls. The Knights stayed for over
a century until they were driven out by Suleyman the Magnificent in 1523.
The castle gradually fell into disuse until the middle of this century
when it was extensively renovated to become the home of the Bodrum
Underwater Archaeology Museum. It is now a showcase for the marvelous
finds of antiquity discovered in the area, and is recognized as a
worldwide pioneer in the field of underwater archaeology. on the north
shore of the Guff of Gökova, was the home of the first "Blue Voyager",
Cevat Sakir Kabaagaç or the "Fisherman of Halikarnas". It is the
undisputed "hot-spot" of the Aegean Coast. This swinging, singing, dancing
town, with its bohemian atmosphere, gathers together Turkeys artists,
intellectuals and lovers of the good life.
An impressive medieval castle built by the Knights of Rhodes guards
the entrance to Bodrum's dazzling blue bay, in which the Aegean and the
Mediterranean Seas meet. The Bodrum Castle now houses the Museum of
Underwater Archaeology. Known in ancient times as Halicarnassus, Bodrum is
the birthplace of Heredotus and the site of King Mausolus's Tomb
(4th century B.C.), one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
The yearly throng of visitors has encouraged small entrepreneurs who have
made shopping in Bodrum a delight. Souvenirs abound, and on certain
streets local artists gather to sell their works - works that come in all
forms.
The Bodrum Karaada Marina is one of the loveliest and best-equipped
marinas in the region. A yachting tour of the Gulf of Gökova starts in
Bodrum. The translucent and deep waters of the Gulf on the southern shore
of the Bodrum Peninsula vary from the darkest blue to the palest
turquoise, and the coastline is thickly wooded with every hue of green. In
the evening, the sea reflects the mountains silhouetted against the
setting sun, while at night it shimmers with phosphorescence. |
