Bodrum: A Historical and Picturesque Harbor

Bodrum: A Historical and Picturesque Harbor

Bodrum: A Historical and Picturesque Harbor

Modern-Day Bodrum

• Yacht Harbor: Filled with traditional wood-varnished sailboats.
• Charming Cafes: Numerous outdoor cafes offering a delightful atmosphere.
• Vibrant Streets: Bursting with small shops and local culture.

Historical Significance

Ancient Halicarnassus

• King Mausolus: Under his reign, the city thrived.
• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus:
• Legacy: Left the city its most enduring legacy.
• Size: The largest tomb ever built by the Greeks.
• Significance: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Current State: Only the massive foundations remain today.
• Visitor Attraction: Models recreate its form for visitors.

Historical Events

• 334 BC: Alexander the Great attacked and leveled the city, sparing only the Mausoleum.
• Earthquake: The Mausoleum was later destroyed by an earthquake.

The Knights of St. John

• 1402: After losing their castle in Smyrna, they moved to Bodrum.
• Castle of St. Peter:
• Construction: Built using stones from the ruined Mausoleum.
• Significance: Dominated the city and served as a strategic fortress.
• Function: Hosted a hospital for pilgrims and served as a privateer base.
• Dominance: Controlled the southeastern Aegean along with fortifications on Kos and Rhodes.
• 1523: The Knights' position became untenable after Suleyman the Magnificent conquered Rhodes.

Present-Day Attractions

• Castle of St. Peter: Still dominates the harbor and houses an archeological museum.
• Authentic Turkish Experience: A ride in a "gulet", one of the region's typical wooden boats.