About Bodrum
BODRUM PENINSULA - Something for everyones Turkey holiday
Bodrum is a port town in the southwestern Aegean Region of Turkey. It is located on the southern coast of a peninsula, at a point of entry into the Gulf of Gokova. There are frequent cheap flights to Bodrum from most UK airports arriving at Milas airport just 35km away. There are many resorts in this area including Bodrum , Gumbet, Akbuk , Bitez, Torba & Turgutreis . Each has its own personality from bustling Bodrum to laid back Bitez this region has a destination to suit everyone
The city was called Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times and was famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World ( since destroyed by earthquakes ). Bodrum Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century, overlooks the harbour and the marina. The castle grounds include a Museum of Underwater Archeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year.
Bodrum is a mix of the old & new with visible signs everywhere of its colourful history interlaced with amenities that make it a popular tourism destination for both foreign & national visitors
One of the most striking things about Bodrum & its surrounding villages is the myriad of white flat roof houses covered in bougainville.
BODRUM RESORT - An Aegean beauty
Up until the 1960’s Bodrum was just a fishing village but this all changed when yachting enthusiasts began visiting it during their voyages around the Turkish coast. With the striking clear waters of the Aegean at its footsteps & its many interesting points of antiquity Bodrum quickly became a must see town that had led to its high popularity today . It is one of the most preferred destinations for holidays to Turkey
With its pretty harbour & marina Bodrum attracts sailing fanatics aplenty & hosts regatta & races every year. As well as catering to the “yachterati” Bodrum has all the bars, club, restaurants & cafes you could wish for. Whether you are looking for a quiet intimate meal for 2 or a lively “dance til dawn” night out you will find it here.
Daytimes are spent enjoying the many sandy beaches around the Bodrum peninsula with their wide range of watersports & activities . Whilst Bodrum itself does not have its own beach there are plenty of bays, coves & stretches of sand nearby to explore .
GUMBET - Located on the peninsula’s South shore just 2km from Bodrum town. Gumbet has grown with the package holiday in mind & offers a large array of hotels from small bed & breakfast pensions to large all inclusive holiday resort hotels. The beach is the daily draw & has lots of watersports going on. Gumbet is popular with young adults due to its promixity to the great nightlife of Bodrum town although it has quite a large scene of its own too. Gumbet tends to have the cheapest accommodation on the peninsular
BITEZ - Situated in the next cove along from Gumbet, Bitez is still a quaint traditional style Turkish village, tranquil with a pleasantly low humidity climate. This peaceful resort is surrounded by pretty groves of fruit trees and has a small beach, which gently slopes into the Aegean waters making it ideal for children and windsurfing alike. For a livelier evening , Bodrum is only a 15-minute drive away with its myriad bars & nightclubs to enjoy.
BODRUM HISTORY
Bodrum history through the ages
HISTORY OF BODRUM - From 13th BC onwards
Previously known as Halikarnassos it began life somewhere between 13th & 11th centuries BC. Here Dorian & Carian people made their homes under the Hexapolic Union. Successive civilisations have occupied the city including Lydians ( Lycians ) in the 6th century Bc & Persians around 546 BC after which it was ruled by the Hecatomnid Satraps whose reknowned ruler Mausolus ( 377-353 BC ) significantly increaed the towns power & prosperity .Halikarnassos became a partially independant Carian principality & was famed for its ship building.
A lover of all things Greek,Mausolus Hellenized the town, even designing a grandiose tomb ( hence the word mausoleum ) building of which was completed after his death by his wife ( & coincidently his sister ) Artemis II. The mausoleum was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World . The structure stood at over 50 m in height. Construction took over 5 years & was completed around 340 BC. Artemis II ( like her predecessor Artemis I ) was a notable commander in war & is credited with a major role in the protection of the Asian Union after trouncing the Rhodians after they were tricked into allowing her entire fleet into their port in 480 BC.
Alexander the Great’s rampaging Macedonian army took over in 334 BC causing such destruction & havoc that the populace dispersed throughout Caria. Halikarnassos later became an important naval base for the Egyptian Lagos dynasty.
In 192 BC, the city became a Roman colony, and in 88 BC was briefly ruled by the Pontus Kingdom .
Halicarnassos fell to the Seljuk Turks in 1071 AD, and with the permission of Sultan Celebi Mehmet that the Knights of Rhodes were able to construct Bodrum Castle - the Castle of St. Peter in 1402 AD that is still modern Bodrum’s most famous landmark. The city became known as Petrion after the Castle of ST Peter until the name changed to Bodrum ( meaning dungeon or cellar )
The Castle, mausoleum, amphitheatre & the Myndus gate are just some of the historical ruins left today that attract visitors from all over the area.