Blog Bodrum

Halicarnassus of Caria' was the ancient name given to the present day Turkish city of Bodrum that is located on the entry into the Gulf of Gökova. It was previously popular for being home to Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

5 Things You Need To Know About Bodrum
'Halicarnassus of Caria' was the ancient name given to the present day Turkish city of Bodrum that is located on the entry into the Gulf of Gökova. It was previously popular for being home to Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Among its major attraction is the Bodrum Castle that was built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 15th century overlooking the harbor and the marina. Bodrum is indeed the jewel of Turkish Muğla Province. Below are some things you need to know about the city

1. The Bodrum Castle hosts a Museum of Underwater Archaeology which hosts a series of events throughout the year. It is the main attraction to the more than 300,000 travelers who visit the city every year. The castle is over 600 years.

2. Are you a hopeless romantic? Well, at Bodrum's Turgutreis resort, you will get to experience the most romantic sunset you have ever had. The golden yellow sunsets of Turgutreis are world renowned. Trust me; your heart will literally melt at the beauty of the sunset.

3. For those travelling with the family, there is one place you must not miss - the Aqua Center. It is a place where the kids will enjoy thrilling rides such as the Kamikaze and Black Hole while you relax and unwind at the lazy river, wave pool and the massive whirlpool bath.

4. For those who have a sweet teeth, then you've got to sample the best of Turkish baklava - sweet pastry stuffed with nuts and honey. This will help replenish your energies after a day out exploring the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

5. If you are looking for relaxation in Bodrum, here is how: Go to the Six Senses Spa at the Kempinski Barbaros Bay or visit the Bodrum Cup International Wooden Sailing Yacht Regatta. If you are not the kind who sit back and watch other people enjoying their life, you can go to Halikarnas for high energy clubbing.

Bodrum is a resort city and there is no fun thing that you can come up with that is not already offered in the city. If you have a vacation month coming up, you better start making arrangement to visit this Turkish destination that has 'wowed' all that have spent some time there?

Artemisia used only the best architects and sculptors, who worked around the clock. Their efforts paid off because its unique design and outstanding beauty earned it an honourable legacy as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Standing tall and proud for many centuries, a series of 13th-century earthquakes marked the beginning of its downfall.

When crusaders conquered the peninsula, little was left. They cared little for the Grand Mausoleum because it served them no purpose. Instead, they took crumbling remains to build the nearby castle, and those stones can still be seen today. These days, excavation work revealed the foundations, but, the structure is nothing like its former glory.

In ancient times, Bodrum was called Halicarnassus and belonged to the Caria Kingdom. The ruler, King Mausolus was an ambitious man, and under his rule, Halicarnassus thrived to encompass neighbouring regions. Alongside his queen Artemisia, who was also his sister, they governed for 24 years, but when he died, she was heartbroken and distraught.

To honour his memory, she built a splendid tomb, that became the envy of rulers everywhere. Such was its spectacular sight, it bore fruit to a new architecture style that would go global, i.e. the mausoleum.

It’s not an overstatement to say everyone falls in love with Bodrum. Turks adore the large peninsula offering a different lifestyle from the rest of Turkey. Many own holiday homes there, and enjoy endless summers, while others want the lifestyle all year round and retire there.

However, driven by Bodrum’s mainstream travel popularity, foreigners also flock there in their droves. They kick back on long sandy beaches, soak in hedonistic vibes and explore important attractions. Whether you are a first-time visitor, a repeat holidaymaker or live there, Bodrum has a canny knack of capturing your interest, never to let it go.