The Bodrum Peninsula
Located in the south east of Turkey, where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean, Bodrum is one of Turkey’s most popular tourist destinations.
Known to the ancient Greeks as Halicarnassus, it is a region steeped in history and culture, an enchanting place of great natural beauty and scenic spleandor.
Bodrum is popular with boating enthusiasts of all kinds you’ll find everything from small
fishing vessels to huge luxury yachts.
With its unique atmosphere and its crystal clear waters, Bodrum attracts visitors from all over the world, yet still maintains its relaxed atmosphere and easy-going pace. This is not a roaring resort, this, instead, is where wealthy Turks come to retire. Any wonder, then, that the place has, in recent times, become quite popular with Europeans looking for property in the sun. So forget Bulgaria or Portugal, Bodrum is the “next big thing”.
Holidays in Bodrum
For the holidaymaker there’s no shortage of things to see and do, with something to suit all tastes.
You can relax on the beach, or meander your way through the markets stopping along the way to visit the various galleries, cafes and restaurants. For those with a love of history Bodrum and its outlying regions sport a wealth of historical and cultural sites. The town of Bodrum itself has, at its heart, the Castle of Saint Peter, a fortress built by the Crusaders, an icon which dominates the Bodrum skyline. Bodrum is also host to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum of Mausolus.
Overlooking Bodrum Bay, with its large harbour presided over by Saint Peter’s Castle.
Activities in Bodrum
Those looking for a more active holiday won’t be dissapointed either. You can go walking, cycling, swimming, diving, fishing, or sailing. You can even rent a yacht for a day and explore the Bodrum peninsula with its many islands, beaches, towns and sleepy fishing villages. Or, if you like, you can also drop in on the neighbours and take the ferry to the neighbouring Greek islands of Rhodes and Kos.
Bodrum Nightlife
If you’re still raring to go when the sun goes down Bodrum is also famous for its nightlife with a wide range of bars and clubs, such as the famous Halikarnus, the largest open air night club in Europe.
Car Hire
Written by admin on August 5, 2008 – 3:53 pm -Renting a car is easy in Bodrum, you can rent the car direct from the airport right after your flight. Some hotels also offer a car rental service in Bodrum.
In Bodrum Town there are no shortage of independent rental companies offering a range of different plans and vehicles, so be sure to shop around.
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Bodrum Castle
Written by admin on August 4, 2008 – 6:02 pm -
Bodrum’s primary landmark, Bodrum Castle, also known as Saint Peter’s Castle, is a well-preserved medieval stone fortress built by Crusaders in the 15th Century.
The castle was constructed using stones from the ruined *Mausoleum of Mausolus, once one of the *Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its builders were the Knights of St John, (also known as the Knights of Malta or the Knights Hospitaller) who controlled, and operated from, the Greek island of Rhodes.
This order was separated into different “tongues”, each one representing a different language, encompassing different regions of Italy, France, Germany and the British Isles. Each tongue was given its own distinctive tower in Bodrum Castle, each tongue paid for their own tower and were charged with its own defence.
With the rising threat of an ever-expanding Ottoman Empire and the brilliant campaigns of Suleiman the Magnificent, it was ordered that the castle’s defences be strengthened even further to prepare for an attack. Suleiman, however, had other plans. He instead laid siege to the order’s headquarters of Rhodes, eventually forcing their surrender but allowing them to go in peace. The Knights left Rhodes and were later gifted the island of Malta by the king of Spain. It is the island of Malta which we now most associate with the order today.
After the Knights’ capitulation the region came firmly under Ottoman control and the castle’s chapel was symbolically converted into a mosque.
During the First World War the castle was subjected to naval bombardment. The damage suffered, whilst significant, was hardly critical damage, and the castle remained intact when the Italian Army used it
as a base until Turkish Independence
Today the castle is open to the public. You can explore the various towers and the castle grounds, which have all been fully restored, then climb to the top to get a fantastic view of Bodrum Bay.
The castle grounds are also the location for the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, a showcase for the rich variety of artefacts which have been recovered from the surrounding seabed.
One of many peacocks found inside the castle walls
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