The name of the Turkish resort of Bodrum can tell a lot to lovers of history and antiquities. It was here, in the northern part of Gokova Bay in the Aegean Sea in the VIII century. BC. the Greeks founded the city of Halicarnassus, which was for some time the capital of Caria and is known to us thanks to the Halicarnassus mausoleum. Erected as the tomb of the Carian king Mavsol, the mausoleum has become one of the famous Seven Wonders of the World. But it is not only the ruins of the former splendor that attract tourists to the Aegean coast.
The answer to the question of what to see in Bodrum includes modern attractions - water parks and museums. For lovers of natural beauty and travelers who are keen on photography, the resort will give many unforgettable minutes at sunset, when the seascapes appear in special splendor.
TOP-10 attractions of Bodrum
mausoleum in Halicarnassus
The gravestone monument to the Carian king Mavsol was built in the 4th century. BC. by order of his wife Artemisia III. The queen was puzzled by the project even before the death of her beloved husband. She invited the Greek architects Satyr and Pytheas and sculptors, whose work had adorned many ancient Greek structures by that time, including the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, also ranked in the list of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The mausoleum was a sizeable and majestic structure. Together with the marble quadriga crowning the upper pyramid, its height reached 46 m. The tomb of Mavsol was decorated with three sculptural friezes and at least 330 statues, including groups on the basement.
The mausoleum was located in the middle of the main street of Halicarnassus, rising up from the sea to the side of the mountain. It stood for almost 1,700 years and collapsed in 1402 from an earthquake.
St. Peter's Castle
In the XV century. Knights of the Order of the Hospitallers, who at first took care of the sick and wounded, and then became a religious and military organization, built a fortress in Bodrum. For its construction, the stones left over from the collapsed in the XIII century were used. Halicarnassus mausoleum.
In 1406, the castle chapel was built first, 30 years later, the fortress walls appeared, which were very soon tested in hostilities. For several decades, the castle of St. Peter was besieged by the Ottoman conquerors, but the fortress stood to death every time.
At the end of the 15th century. the knights carried out large-scale work on additional strengthening of the castle, for which they continued the analysis of the mausoleum of Mavsol. By 1522, the wonder of the world was finally destroyed, and a few months later the fortress succumbed to the onslaught of the Turkish Sultan Suleiman. Today, a museum is open in the premises of St. Peter's Castle.
Museum of Underwater Archeology
One and a half dozen rooms in the castle of St. Peter are given to the Museum of Underwater Archeology, opened in Bodrum in 1962. Thousands of tourists come to look at the treasures raised from the bottom of the sea.
The first exhibits of the museum were found in the 50s of the twentieth century. Fishing nets have brought an ancient statue dating from the 4th century BC. BC. Archaeologists and submariners joined forces and not far from the coast of Bodrum discovered a reef, on which several dozen ships crashed in different historical eras.
The wealth found under water became the basis of the museum's collection:
- In the hall dedicated to the Carian princess, dozens of jewelery pieces that belonged to the royal are on display. The most expensive items were kept in crystal caskets.
- The most interesting exposition presents finds from a sunken ship of the 11th century. It was transporting glassware, and some of the items were found to be practically intact.
- Ancient amphorae and ceramic vessels, coins and jewelry, weapons and military armor can be found in the halls of the museum in St. Peter's Castle.
In order to bring all the treasures from the sunken ships to the shore, the rescuers had to make more than 20 thousand dives.
Ulu-burun ship
At the end of the XIV century. BC. in a bay near Bodrum, a Phoenician ship sank loaded with food, jewelry, precious metals and weapons. In 1982, divers discovered the ship, and within 10 years its remains were raised from the bottom of the Aegean Sea. Today, a life-size model of the ship and some of the items transported on it can be seen at the Museum of Underwater Archeology in Bodrum.
The history of the shipwreck is not known for certain, but researchers believe that the ship followed from the island of Cyprus to Egypt. The pottery found in its holds with the image of the eclipse of Mursili, which happened in 1312 BC, helped to calculate the age of the ship. The eclipse became a striking event for contemporaries and was often depicted on ceramic, gold and other objects. Historians use it to determine the dating of the chronology of events in the Middle East.
In the hall dedicated to the Ulu-Burun ship, the following are exhibited:
- Several hundred ingots of copper, tin and glass.
- Food products - nuts, dates and pomegranates.
- Jewelry and precious metal items, including the gold scarab and the head of Nefertiti.
- A stone ax for religious worship and swords of the Mycenaean and Canaanite types.
In total, there were at least 18,000 items at the crash site. The hull of the ship was built of cedar, 24 stone anchors weighed from 120 to 210 kg, the length of the ship was 15 m, and the carrying capacity was 20 tons.
Bodrum amphitheater
In the old city, where the ancient Helikarnassus was located, archaeologists have discovered the ruins of an ancient amphitheater, typical for all major cities of the times of Ancient Greece. Its construction dates back to the 4th century. BC.
Several dozen rows of stone steps descend in a semicircle to the arena where performances were held and orators performed. The amphitheater could also serve as a place for a gathering of citizens who had to discuss a pressing problem and make an important decision.
The Bodrum arena accommodated about 13 thousand people. Now the amphitheater is being reconstructed, and the city administration plans to use the ancient arena as a stage for modern concerts, festivals and other cultural events.
Bardakchi bay
The sandy beach and clear waters of the Bardakchi bay of Bodrum harbor an old legend.
In ancient times, the bay was known as Salmakis. The beautiful nymph Salmakida lived in it, spending time in bathing and self-admiration for her own reflection in the mirror waters of the spring. Then, as usual, a man appeared. It turned out to be Hermaphrodite, who did not respond to the feelings of the nymph due to arrogance and narcissism. The wounded Salmakis asked the gods to connect her with her beloved forever, which they did, placing the daffodils in a single body.
Bodrum Bay Bardakchi is also of practical importance. Legend has it that a couple in love bathing in its waters will be together forever. No unpleasant physiological changes in everyone's condition.
Black Island
Local guides are ready to tell another beautiful legend about the island located opposite the Castle of St. Peter. It tells about the daughter of the ruler of Helicarnassus, who fell ill and received a walk in a pine grove as a doctor's recommendation. So the girl got to the island, where she was cured and began to spend there all the time. But the sea wind caused a new illness, and the unfortunate woman died, despite all the efforts of the doctors. Heartbroken father ordered to burn down the once green island.
Today Kara Ada is a popular tourist destination and hundreds of tourists come from Bodrum every day to see its picturesque landscapes.
The Black Island is famous not only for its unique nature, but also for its healing mud. You can continue the rejuvenation process in the waters of the mineral springs that fill the baths of the local hydropathic institute.
Chokmagdag
Chokmagdag village in the vicinity of Bodrum is famous for its unique architecture. Built in accordance with ancient traditions, the houses are crowned with chimneys, decorated in a special way. Eagle heads or crescents are certainly installed on their tops. The customs in Chokmagdag are also still strong: weddings last at least four days, wheat is ground by hand in stupas, and olive oil is pressed using old presses, which makes it especially healthy and fragrant.
In Chokmagdag, you can buy handmade silk and wool carpets.
Bodrum water park
The history of the water amusement park in Bodrum goes back two decades and Dedeman is the oldest water park in Turkey. In terms of the number and variety of attractions, it still has no equal, which somewhat brightens up the price of entrance tickets.
The park contains more than two dozen slides of varying difficulty and height, artificial lakes, pools for the largest and smallest, and even a river with waves that look like real ones.
The record-holders in the number of those wishing to ride are the Kamikaze attraction with a steep slide, the Black Hole pipe, where the daredevil is accompanied by cosmic light and sound, and a pool with three-meter waves.
Club Halikarnas
If the nightlife is of particular interest to you, and you are flying on a beach holiday with a couple of evening dresses in your suitcase, take a look at the Helikarnas disco. Popular on the Aegean coast, the establishment received such guests of honor as Mick Jagger and Sting, and Claudia Schiffer and Naomi were seen on the dance floor.
The club opened in the late 70s and since then not only has not lost its relevance among party-goers, but, on the contrary, has become more and more popular every year.
Every next party at Halikarnas is different from the previous one. The most famous DJs in the world play here at night, high-tech laser shows are held, and Bodrum's foam parties are legendary around the world.
