BODRUM MOST SPECIAL HOLIDAY RESORT of TURKEY

Bodrum, the southern most major holiday town of Mediterranean and Aegean Coast of Turkey , is the center of attraction of the whole region. It is famous both among Turkish and foreign travelers. The population jumps from 50,000 people to more than half a milllion during summer time. This small village was first made known 30 years ago by the "the fisherman of Halicarnasus", poet Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli.

An impressive medieval castle built by the knights of Rhodes guards the entrance to Bodrum's dazzling blue bay,in which the Agean and the Mediterranean Seas meet.The town's charm is well-known,attracting a diverse population vacationers who stroll along its long palm-linet waterfront, while elegant yachts crowd the marina.

Not far from town, you can swim in absolutely clear,tideless, warm seas. Underwater divers, especially, will want to explore the numerous reefs, caves and majestic rock formations. The waters offer up multicolored sponges of all shapes and sizes, octopi and an immense variety of other aquatic life.

The reputation of Bodrum's boatyards dates back to ancient times, and today, craftsmen still build the traditional yachts: the tirhandil with a pointed bow and stern, and the gulette with a broad beam and rounded stern. The latter, especially, are used on excursions and pleasure trips,and in the annual Bodrum Regatta .

The yearly throng of visitors has encouraged small entrepreneurs to make shopping in Bodrum a delight. Leather goods of all kinds, natural sponges and the local blue glass beads are among the bargains to be found in the friendly little shops along the narrow, white-walled streets.Charming boutiques offer kilims, carpets, sandals and embroidery as well as original fashions in soft cotton. A good shopping complex in Bodrum is the Bodrum Karada Marina. Within easy walking distance from the middle of town, this new shopping area promises to have the makings of a popular venue with its “Seven Seas” atmosphere created by the backdrop of hundreds of sleek sea-going yachts. Appropriately, this shopping center is accessible and open to everyone, not just the patrons of the marina, so Bodrum residents and all visitors will be able to shop for some of the finest internationally known labels like Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Vakko, US Grant, etc.

Bodrum has gained the reputation as the center of the Turkish art community with its lively, friendly and Bohemian atmosphere and many small galleries. This community has encouraged an informal day-time life styie and a nighttime of excitement. The evenings in Bodrum are for sitting idly in one of the many restaurants, dining on fresh seafood and other Aegean specialties.

The "Blue Cruise", a world famous Turkish Mediterranean classic for yachting and sailing through the blue of the Aegean and the Mediterranean in wooden boats started in Bodrum.

Bodrum has now an international airport which is reachable from some major cities in Europe. There are also ferries to Greek islands, Kos and Rhodes, from Bodrum. Istanbul-Bodrum is 12 hours by bus, 1 hour by air.
Bodrum now has many small villages and towns spread all over its peninsula, almost all having resorts, hotels, guest houses, bars, restaurants, shops ...

Bodrum tonight begins just efore sunset, heralded by the sound of rushing wings as flocks of crows return to the castle for evening roost and by the chugging of daily tour boats returning to evening harbor. The traditional holiday pastime of quietly sipping cocktails while watching the sun slowly sink into the sea is unfortunately impossible in Bodrum due to its location on the southern shore of the Bodrum peninsula. That pleasure is reserved for those staying on the western coast, in villages such as Turgutreis. However those residing in Bodrum are perhaps more fortunate. While lacking the view of the sunset, Bodrumites, or Bodrumlu in Turkish, can witness shadows slowly ascending the whitewashed houses and surrounding hillsides as the castle takes on a glowing golden hue from the rays of the setting sun before turning an azure blue highlighted in gold as the sun sinks and the castle lights come on.

One of the best places for watching this unique spectacle is in the Marina or in one of the many bars or cafes that line the harborfront. Best of all is to visit the amphitheater perched on the hillside above town. Well worth a visit in its own right, the amphitheater acquires a special ambiance at dusk, the panorama of Bodrum, harbor, castle and the Aegean beyond spread out below.

Strolling down from the amphitheater the visitor enters quiet neighborhoods, filled with the sights and sounds of children playing, and their parents sitting in open gardens or on the steps of their houses, enjoying a cup of tea, a beer or a glass of Raki after work. Like on all streets in Bodrum, the visitor eventually winds up at the sea, in this case the busy harborfront, alive with cafes, bars and restaurants.

Customary before dinner cocktails can be had at any Bodrum bar featuring the exotic, or local Turkish spirits, wines, beers and most importantly Raki, an aniseed flavored liquor nicknamed lions milk due to its milky color when mixed with water or ice and the lion-like affect it can have. Dining in Turkey is lighthearted, lingering and can last hours. Bodrum restaurants offer everything from traditional Turkish cuisine to contemporary Western to everything in between. Dinner usually begins with drinks, followed by "meze" Turkish starters or hors d'oeuvres and then progresses through entree to desert, usually fresh fruit in the summer season. Each course, of course punctuated by liberal doses of Raki.

After dinner Bodrum remains open until the crack of dawn. Most shop and boutique are open until midnight, perhaps the best time to shop as the cool of the evening is more comfortable, a few drinks makes everything look better and local shopkeepers just might be willing to offer that special bargain for one more sale before closing.

Bodrum probably has more bars per area than anywhere else in Turkey, appealing to all tastes. Intimate seaside cafes, with magnificent views of the illuminated castle mingle with busy, energetic streetside bars featuring the latest music. There are also a number of clubs that offer live music, either traditional Turkish folk music or jazz. A specialty of a number of hotels and tavernas is Turkish Night, where local musicians play the "saz", a guitarlike instrument and the "zurna" a type of flute in accompaniment to belly dancers swaying between tables.

The beautiful Bodrum climate, so enjoyable in the daytime doesn''t slink of with the setting sun. Beachfront restaurants are open all evening, and a boat trip and a swim are just as enjoyable after dark. Away from the lights of Bodrum, the Turkish sky takes on brilliance unseen in the industrial west. A great place to enjoy it is from a boat anchored outside the hot springs at Karaada Island. There, with some friends, a bottle of wine, and a few candles you can explore the caverns, waist deep in warm water, as a Turkish Tom Sawyer.

For those with energy left Bodrum discos and nightclubs close when the sunrises and you can literally dance until dawn. Nightclubs in Bodrum also feature the added plus of most of them being open air and on the seaside. After an energetic night on the town, most Turks would feel that one more snack is in order before bed. Soup is preferred as the traditional remedy to prevent tomorrow's hangover but there are a variety of snack bars open to fill a variety of cravings.
By this time the Muezzin is climbing the minaret to begin his prayers and usher in another day. A day and a night only Bodrum can offer.

HISTORY

The history of Bodrum, known as Halicarnassus or Halicarnassos goes back to the 13th century BC. Excavaties reveal the 5000 year old history of this town. Many civilisations found their home here. Carians for excample, Homer tells in his Ilia, that the Carians helped to defend Troya.

Heredotus, known as the father of history, was born in Bodrum in 484 BC.- and he said that Bodrum had been founded by the Dorians. The next settlers were Carians and Lelegians. In the 6th. century BC., the region came under Persian rule. Its most brilliant period was around 353. BC. when it was the capital of the Satrap of Caria (In this century it was famous for its trade, sailing and boatbuilding.) Artemisia who was a warrior-woman played a significant role in the protection of the Asian Union and she achieved fame by adopting a stance against Rhodes as the Admiral of the Carian fleet in 480 BC.

The Mausoleum is Bodrums oldest antiquity and was built by Artemisia II in honour of her husband King Mausolos. It became one of the wonders of the ancient world, Mausoleum still is the general term for a large tomb. The entire structure stood at over 50 meters in height. The first reliefs from the Mausoleum reached the British Museum in London in 1846, these included frescos and other objects.

Bodrums first remembered literary character was Cevat Sakir, known as the ''Halicarnassus Fisherman''asked for the return of the Mausoleum parts to Bodrum in a letter adressed to the Queen of England,saying that such exquisite works of art were not finding their true place under the foggy and grey sky of London.The letter he received in response stated as following:

"Thank you for reminding us of the matter, We have painted the ceiling where the Mausoleum is located in blue."

The most prominent feature of Bodrum is the castle of St. Peter. The castle''s origins date back to the knights of St. John

This group of expatriates began in the 11th century with a church and hospital in Jerusalem. Although belonging to he Catholic religion care was denied to no-one. When the knights arrived they instructed their builders to remove all usable materials from the tomb of King Mausolos as the castle construction began in the 1400's. The knights refered to the town as Mesy not knowing that they where in the ancient Halicarnassus The fortress became known as the Castle of St. Peter, the Liberator, it served as the sole place of refugee for all Christians on the West Coast of Asia during the time of the crusades. For over a century the castle served as a stronghold in the knights community. Under Turkish care the castle has undergone several uses including being a military base, a prison and a public bath. But now it is one of the finest museums in this region see also video.