Turkey In Photos - Bodrum

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In the recent decade Bodrum has developed into one of the best holiday centers on the Aegean coast. Its great attractions, in addition to its mild climate, are the beautiful beaches, great diving grounds, the sheltered harbor (port for regular shipping lines and cruises), the marina and the friendly atmosphere of the town. The center Bodrum with its busy and colorful bazaars is situated at the north end of the peninsula on also which the Castle of St. Peter stands.

Bodrum's principal sight of seeing, the Castle of St. Peter, now known as the Bodrum Castle, with its tall, well-preserved towers, was built by the Knights of St John between 1401 and 1436 on the site of the island of Zephyrion, which is now actually joined to the mainland of Bodrum. Ottomans built other buildings within the precincts of the castle and it was used as a place of exile in the 19th century. The English Tower of the castle, having a sculpted lion on the west wall, is also known as the Lion Tower.

Another must see in Bodrum is the Mausoleion or Mausoleum, which from the time of Augustus became a general term for a large tomb. Its architect was Pytheos. Under the direction of Satyros the rectangular structure looking like a tower, 46m high, was decorated with marvellous friezes by the celebrated Greek sculptors. Built in 351 BC it survived in a good condition until the 12th century AD. After that it was damaged by earthquakes and was then demolished, being finally destroyed in 1552 when the remaining stone was used to strengthen the castle against Ottoman attacks. Dressed stones from the Mausoleion can still be seen in the castle, the town walls, and at the bottom of an old well in Bodrum. A reconstruction of the monument has started.

The first reliefs recovered from the Mausoleion were taken to UK in 1846; in 1863 Sir Charles Fellows positively identified the site of the monument and removed most sculpture from the Mausoleion and the castle to the British Museum.