Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum

The Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, located within Bodrum Castle, stands as a unique institution both in Turkey and globally, dedicated to the specialized field of underwater archaeology.

The Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, located within Bodrum Castle, stands as a unique institution both in Turkey and globally, dedicated to the specialized field of underwater archaeology. Since its opening in 1964, the museum has become home to an impressive collection of underwater artefacts, dating from the 16th century BC to the 16th century AD, mostly recovered through underwater excavations off the Turkish coast since the 1960s. Alongside the underwater discoveries, the museum also features land artefacts, shedding light on the rich history of the Bodrum Peninsula.

The museum is well-known for its various exhibition halls that showcase shipwrecks and their treasures. Among the most significant are the Late Bronze Age Shipwrecks Hall, the Serçelimanı Glass Shipwreck Hall, the Tektaş Shipwreck Hall, the Bozukkale Archaic Shipwreck Hall, and the Yassıada Shipwrecks Hall. These halls display a vast collection of unique artefacts recovered from shipwrecks, alongside detailed insights into ancient shipbuilding techniques and maritime trade in different historical periods.

The highlight of the museum is the Uluburun Shipwreck, which dates back to the Late Bronze Age (14th century BC). It is regarded as the most important underwater archaeological discovery of the 20th century, as it marks the earliest known example of long-distance international maritime trade, showcasing a rich variety of artefacts. Another fascinating exhibit is the Serçelimanı Glass Shipwreck, where visitors can view the largest glass collection from Syria, an important center of Islamic glass production during the Middle Ages. This exhibition also presents scrap glass collected for recycling over a thousand years ago.

The museum also hosts the Amphora Exhibition, which is among the largest collections of amphorae in the world, displaying various amphorae used in the Mediterranean region from the 16th century BC to the 12th century AD. Additionally, the History of Underwater Archaeology Exhibition highlights the birth of underwater archaeology in Turkey, a pioneering effort on the global stage, and honors the contributions of sponge divers from Bodrum who played an essential role in the early excavations.

Several other exhibition halls focus on land discoveries, such as the Early Bronze Age Necropolises Hall, the Müsgebi Necropolis Hall, the Halicarnassos East Necropolis Hall, the Princess of Caria Hall, and the Pedasa Hall. These halls contain finds that illuminate the ancient history of Bodrum and its surroundings. Particularly noteworthy is the Müsgebi Necropolis, which houses the most extensive collection of Mycenaean artefacts found in Turkish museums.

Other significant sections within the museum include the Amphora Warehouse, the Castle Mosque/Chapel, the Bath, the Cannon Exhibition, and exhibitions of Altars and Stone Works. Each of these areas further enriches the narrative of Bodrum’s historical and cultural legacy.

The museum's setting in Bodrum Castle adds another layer of historical importance. Constructed by the Knights of St. John (Knights Hospitaller) in the early 15th century AD, in honor of St. Peter, the castle is one of the most impressive and well-preserved medieval fortifications in the Eastern Mediterranean. The English Tower houses a special exhibition dedicated to the history of the castle and the knights. Notably, the castle's construction incorporated architectural blocks from the ancient Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

After the Turkish conquest of Rhodes in 1523, the castle fell into Turkish hands and was later used as a prison after 1895. Today, Bodrum Castle is recognized for its multi-layered historical structure, blending the medieval architecture of the Knights of St. John with Ottoman-era additions. It serves as a remarkable testament to the artistic, architectural, and technical features of 15th-century Europe, combined with the legacy of the Ottoman period.

In 2016, Bodrum Castle was inscribed on the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in Turkey, cementing its status as an important cultural and historical monument