Bodrum is built on the ruins of ancient
Halicarnassus. It is now Turkey's liveliest resort, attracting
poets, singers, artists and package tourists. Its perfect harbour
was colonized by ancient Greeks in the 11th century BC and the
city later flourished under Persian rule. It was nominally the
capital city of the satrapy of Caria; its location ensured the
city enjoyed considerable autonomy.
It was here that the historian Herodotus
(484-420 BC) was born, but Halicarnassus's greatest glory was
under Mausolus, who ruled on behalf of the Persians from 377 to
353 BC. When he died in 353 BC, his wife, Artemisia II of Caria,
employed the ancient Greek architects Satyros and Pithios, and the
four sculptors Bryaxis, Scopas, Leochares and Timotheus for
building a monument, a tomb to him. His tomb is one of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World, and was so well-known that it gave
us the word 'mausoleum'. Originally a temple-like structure
decorated with reliefs and statuary on a massive base, only the
foundations and a few pieces of sculpture now remain. After the
brief tenure of the Knights of St John, who founded the Castle of
St Peter in 1404, the city sank into obscurity. The castle and its
town became known as Petronium, whence the modern name derives.
Suleiman the Magnificent conquered Petronium for the Ottomans in
1522. Today, the sheltered anchorage is busy with luxury yachts
and locally-built gulets used by seafaring holidaymakers.
BODRUM
GUIDE
Bodrum, the center of an
administrative district called ilce, has a permanent population of
some 37,000 and stands on the site of the ancient city of
Halicarnassus, once the capital of the kingdom of Caria. Located
in the southwest corner of the Aegean region of Turkey, Bodrum is
a major tourist attraction due to its excellent climate, beautiful
coastline and a plethora of proximate sites of historical
importance and natural beauty.
BODRUM
GUIDE
Bodrum is the Turkish port in Mugla Province,
Turkey. Today, it is a center of tourism and yachting. Due to its
coastline and active night-life, it has became a very popular
tourist resort for northern Europeans. Every year at least a
thousands of tourists visit Bodrum.
BODRUM
GUIDE
Economy of Bodrum is largely based on Tourism.
In Bodrum, tourism is the main income source for local
communities. The throng of visitors has enlivened Bodrum's retail
economy. Shopping is one of the top leisure activities in Bodrum.
The town is well known for its leather goods, particularly for
traditional woven sandals.
BODRUM GUIDE
On the Bodrum peninsula brand new golf courses
are currently being designed and built. Golf is picking up
momentum in Turkey. The golf resorts are largely unspoiled by mass
tourism and they are eager to attract visitors.
BODRUM GUIDE
Many people realising the great potential of
Bodrum being a fantastic and cheap alternative to other countries.
The area has attracted many international investors wishing to buy
property there. Demand for Property in Bodrum is on the increase as
well.
BODRUM
GUIDE
Tourism is helping Bodrum to
grow significantly. The number of visitors are increasing day by
day. Bodrum's airport handles thousands of visitors each year and
plays a major role in the tourism industry.
BODRUM
GUIDE
If sports and activities are
what turn the heat on for you, then Bodrum does not disappoint
you. Diving courses, river rafting, parasailing, snorkeling, jet
skis and aqua parks are available for the water babies. And jeep
safaris and horseback riding for the adventure sport freaks.
BODRUM
GUIDE
During the day, Yachting, boating, swimming, snorkeling and scuba
diving are the main diversions in Bodrum. Bodrum is a good place
to arrange for a boat trip to neighboring islands and secluded
beaches for sunning and snorkeling. At night, bars, pubs, clubs
and discos rock late into the night.
