Things to see and do Bodrum (Halicarnass)

Ancient fortress of the Aegean Sea, a major beauty in Asia Minor, St. Peter's Castle is the main attraction of the city. This imposing fortress built of white stone overlooks the Aegean Sea and is located on the site of the ancient acropolis. The castle was built between 1404 and 1522 by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem to protect the city from pirate attacks in the eastern Mediterranean. Its towers are guarded by representatives of different nationalities and its thick crenellated walls were once surrounded by a moat, filled with sea water and rainwater to prevent invaders from entering. Ten years after its completion, Suleiman the Magnificent expelled the Knights, and this huge fortress surrounded by the sea on three of its sides was turned into a jail. Over time, the castle has undergone many renovations and extensions, it will serve as a military garrison and Turkish baths. Particularly well preserved, it remains a remarkable example of Frankish military architecture of the late Middle Ages. Since 1962, St. Peter's Castle has been the official home of the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. It is one of the largest museums dedicated to underwater archaeology in the world. You will discover a unique collection of objects recovered by divers from wrecked ships such as gold jewelry, coins, ancient objects made of glass, bronze, clay and iron, sculptures and models of ancient ships. The exhibits are organized chronologically, from the Bronze Age to the Roman era. The most impressive room is the one devoted to the ancient stone sarcophagi found in the region, which date back to the Roman period. Visitors can admire detailed carvings and relief inscriptions that tell the story of the characters depicted.

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, the Château Saint-Pierre is occasionally used as a venue for cultural events. Its interior courtyard is popular for weddings. Do not miss the beautiful Andalusian garden and the chapel. However, you will have to climb a few steps to reach the top of its towers. Your efforts will be rewarded: from the castle walls, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of Bodrum Bay and the Aegean Sea.

One hour by ferry (20 minutes by hydrofoil), this island of the Dodecanese does not offer a very different face from that of Bodrum except for the Turkish doner which becomes the Greek gyros. You will go there for its beaches or for a walk. The ideal is to rent a scooter to go around the island. Remember that Hippocrates (460-357 BC), the founder of the first school of medicine, is from Kos. The beach of Tigaki is often crowded. On the other side are the beaches of Kefalos, the most beautiful beaches of the island: quiet with clear water.

Carved into the rock face, located at the northern end of the city on a hill, is a Hellenistic theater. Built in the 4th century BC, the monument has been restored. Originally, it could accommodate 13,000 people. Walking on the steps of the theater is the ideal walk to enjoy the sun setting over the bay of Bodrum and the castle. The view is splendid. In the summer, many concerts and shows are given in the enclosure, it is complicated to park but it is the promise of nice evenings.

One of the seven wonders of the world. The tomb of king Mausole is the symbol of the city. With its 46 m height, it was out of the ordinary: its rectangular base supported 36 Ionic columns surmounted by a roof in the shape of a pyramid and it was decorated with statues of Mausole and Artemisia on a quadriga. After its destruction by an earthquake and its plundering by the knights, there is not much left of this marvel of antiquity. Archaeological excavations have brought its foundations to light. The models still help to get an idea.

Kara Ada ("Black Island") has healing hot springs that spring from a cave. The resulting orange mud is renowned for its benefits to the skin. So you will see many travelers rush to cover their bodies with it. Legend has it that Queen Cleopatra used this mud to preserve her beauty and fight skin diseases. There are also some great hikes to be had on the island. Many travel agencies offer day trips, Kara Ada is one of the must-see stops.

To the northwest, the Myndos Gate was part of the city walls, 7 km long at the time of Mausoleus, who ordered its construction in the 4th century B.C. It is the only remaining gate. You can also see the remains of a moat, as well as several ruins, a little further on. Also, some tombs and mosaics. The date of 334 B.C. remains famous because many soldiers of Alexander the Great died in the moat by drowning.

St. Peter's Castle is the headquarters of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, founded by G. Bass in 1973. The finds of divers during excavations of wrecks, including the 3,400-year-old wreck east of Kaş, are displayed there. Every part of the castle is used to display the objects or stage reconstructions. The Gothic chapel of the Hospitallers, houses a fragment of the frieze of the mausoleum. The visit of the castle is a superb walk in its enclosure.