Culture and History
Defining one comprehension of thorough historical information on Halicarnassus is seemingly difficult but two meters beneath the confined streets of Bodrum prevails 5000 years of history. It is thought that Dorian settlers from Greece founded the city of Bodrum, anciently known as Halicarnassus, somewhere near 1000 BC.
Since it’s a place where people have stayed continuously for thousands of years, Bodrum has an exceptionally deep history. It resides and neighbors many of the great civilizations and events of ancient history that makes Bodrum a significant site for historians.
Bodrum has several ancient remnants and locates left behind by the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. The year 353 BC was the most substantial time in the account of the city when it was the capital of the Caria region. However, Bodrum still upholds its impact in the present time.
It’s really hard to find a place around Bodrum that is not somehow related to history. Wherever you plan to go around the region, you encounter the treasures from history.
Some of the monuments to attest to the rich history include the castle, the Roman theatre, the Museum of underwater archeology and Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
Bodrum Castle:
Bodrum Castle is one of the keystones of the town that has been well kept since its establishment in the 15th century. Figuratively you may call it the North Star of Bodrum for its visibility from every corner of the city and the first thing to noticeably welcome you upon your entrance in the city.
Whether watched from the land or the sea, Bodrum’s prominent castle is an extraordinary illustration of medieval architecture. Occupying the base area of 30,000 square feet, the castle underwent years of construction.
The Bodrum Castle stays open throughout the year and it features Bodrum’s amazing Museum of Underwater Archaeology and also entertains numerous Turkish cultural festivals.
Museum of Underwater Archaeology:
In 1995, the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology received an acclamation to be European Museum of the year.
Impressions from the Old Bronze age, Classic and Hellenistic Eras are exhibited so as to take you to an absorbing past to the time of ancient mariners who sailed to encounter their fate stranded on Anatolian shores or to the medieval Age of Knights who fostered this castle from stones.
It is not merely a typical clump of inert artifacts but it is a genuinely artistic and meaningful experience.
The Ancient Amphitheatre:
The Bordum Amphitheatre makes an excellent spot for photography for its location on the hillside overviewing the castle and marina. It has a design just like other ancient theaters with a capacity for 13,000 viewers. The theater attained its completion in the Roman era and it is one of the unspoiled structures of ancient Halikarnassus.
In the present time during the peak seasons, the theatre is used for concerts and shows.
