Bodrum: sightseeing. Turkey, Bodrum

Bodrum Resort is located in Turkey. Its territory successfully combines natural beauty, historical monuments and modern infrastructure. Comfortable guest houses, unique villages on the coast, amazing in its beauty and transparency of the Mediterranean Sea water, underwater rocks, majestic caves - all this is famous for Bodrum. Attractions of the popular resort are discussed below.

St. Peter's Castle

It was built in the fifteenth century. Material of construction - green granite. He was brought from the western part of Bodrum. In ancient times, the castle served as a place for the deployment of fifty knights and one hundred and fifty soldiers. Their task was to defend the settlement. The fortress differs in thick double walls. It has several towers - Italian, German, English and French. The latter is the highest - 47.5 m. The walls of the structure are covered by evergreen plants. In addition, on the green granite preserved knightly arms.

The castle was officially recognized as a museum in 1960. You can get into it through a long wooden suspension bridge. On the territory of the fortress the Museum of Underwater Archeology is opened and a rich collection of sarcophagi is presented.

Amphitheater

What else is interesting about Bodrum? Attractions of the resort allow you to get acquainted with the most ancient monuments of architecture. So, the Hellenistic amphitheater was built in the 300 BC. Its capacity at that time was considered simply huge - 13 thousand people. The steps of this unique structure were hollowed out right in the slope and faced with marble. Best of all, the lower tier has survived to this day. As for the upper rows, they were seriously affected by earthquakes.

The scene is in the southern part of the theater. This is a two-storey structure in the form of a rectangle. In 1973, the oldest monument of architecture acquired the status of a museum. This happened after excavations were carried out on its territory. Not long ago, experts of Turkcell and Ericsson companies completed work on a joint restoration project. Many travelers come to Bodrum to see this place. The resort's attractions have long attracted lovers of antiquity. Thanks to the stories of experienced guides, walks to memorable places will become even more informative and interesting.

Mindos Gate

In ancient times they served as an entrance to the city from the west. Initially, above the gate towered three towers, and before them was dug a fifteen-meter ditch. At one time, through the Mindos Gate tried to pass Alexander of Macedonia. This ruler was very interested in Turkey. Bodrum was not fortified enough to resist the powerful army for a long time. As a result, the Macedonian soldiers broke through the fortification and ruthlessly dared everything in their path. In the course of modern archaeological excavations near the gate, it was possible to find the burials of the Romans and Greeks.

Restoration

In the twentieth century, the Myndos gates and towers underwent major repairs. Nevertheless, today tourists can see only the ruins of the once grand building. Local authorities took this facility under their care. Minor restoration work is carried out as required.

Mausoleum

The imposing marble tomb of King Mausolus in Helikarnassus (formerly known as Bodrum) has no equal in the whole world. The uniqueness of the mausoleum is that it is the only building of the Seven Wonders of the World, fragments of which have survived to this day. This construction began to erect shortly before the death of the king (he retired to another world in 353 BC). Turkey (Bodrum including) has never seen such a large-scale and luxurious project. Many ancient authors describe the mausoleum as a huge tombstone of white marble with ionic columns. The size of the building is also impressive: the perimeter is 30 by 40 meters, the height is 45 meters. The tomb had two floors, they were married by thirty-six columns. Ashes of the king's people were kept in golden urns. At the entrance to the mausoleum there were large stone lions.

The monumental building was destroyed by the earthquake of 1304. In the sixteenth century, fragments of the mausoleum were taken out by the Knights-Johannites for the construction of the castle of St. Peter. The first excavations on the site of the ancient tomb started in 1850. They were led by Charles Newton, an archaeologist from England.

Gökova Bay

This bay with its cozy bays, wooded islands and beautiful beaches is called the treasure of Turkey. From Bodrum, tourists can go on a multi-day cruise on Gyokov on a yacht. One of the most interesting stops is the island of Cleopatra. On it there is a beach covered with unusual sand, as if consisting of millions of pearls.

Kara Ada

This picturesque island is located six kilometers from Bodrum. It is popular mainly because of its hot springs. Healing properties of local mud and water are confirmed by doctors. On Kara Ada people come who want to get rid of skin ailments, arthritis or sciatica. There is a legend that Queen Cleopatra kept beauty and youth due to the amazing mud of the Black Island.

Dademan

Are you interested in not only excursions, but also entertainment? Go to Bodrum! The water park in this resort city is the largest in Turkey. Twenty-four water slides are installed on its territory and a man-made river flows over 300 meters in length. Anyone can swim in the numerous pools with and without waves, soak up the jacuzzi or stand under the waterfall.

The water park is equipped with a sufficient number of sunbeds. There are three restaurants and a bar on its territory. In the evening, high-quality discos are organized in the "Dademan". Adults are charged twenty euros for entry and eleven for children. The water park is open daily from May to October from half past eleven to five in the evening. It is located near the Metro Metro.

Beaches of Bodrum

The terrain on which the city stands is hilly and rocky. For this reason, the wide sandy beaches should not be counted. Most of them are pebble. Some beaches were created artificially. To do this, pontoons were filled with a sufficient amount of sand. One of the main difficulties is that the beaches have to overcome a difficult path along the steep stairs. This is not paid attention only to the youth, which is the main part of vacationers.

Beaches of Bodrum are not empty even at night. Incendiary discos and foam parties are held here . The best place on the coast for young people is the beach of Gyumbert. Here they have fun and active rest. Among other popular options we note the following:

- Ada Boazy. It differs with clear water. You can get to it only on a catamaran, boat or canoe.

- Bitez. This beach is sandy. It is ideal for lovers of secluded holidays.

- Gumushluk. Swimming with a mask near this beach, at the bottom of the sea you can see the remains of ancient buildings that once connected the island of Tavshan and the mainland.

- Akyalar. This place is particularly liked by surfers.

- Karaada. On the beach you can not only soak under the rays of the tender Turkish sun, but also improve your health. This will help healing mud and mineral springs.

Interesting vacation

Do you dream of spending your vacation in this city? What other entertainments does Bodrum offer? The sea, beaches and discos are not the only thing that attracts numerous tourists. Boredom at the resort is not necessary thanks to an interesting excursion program. In the vicinity of the city there are many original villages with snow-white houses, drowning in luscious greenery. During such trips you can not only buy souvenirs, but also learn more about the peculiarities of the life of the Turks. During long excursions it is offered to visit such iconic historical places as Ephesus, Dalyan, Pamukkale, Kos Island (the place where Hippocrates was born).

Accommodation options

Bodrum (map of the city is presented in the article) is famous for a large number of both modest boarding houses and fashionable hotels. On the territory of most of them, children's playgrounds are organized. All hotels are at a distance of no more than 25 kilometers from the city center. In total there are more than sixty. Among the three-star hotels with low prices are the following: Kerem Resort, Alta Beach Hotel, Club Aqua Torba, AeganGarden. They have an all-inclusive system.

Lovers of chic holidays choose five-star hotels, such as Baia Bodrum, Salmakis Resort & SPA, Latanya Beach Resort, Bodrum Park Resort. On the description of the latter we dwell in more detail.

The hotel "Bodrum Park Resort" is located twenty kilometers from the geographical center of the resort. The nearest airport is 45 km away. The institution opened its doors for the first time in 1998. Family couples often choose this hotel resort of Bodrum. The sea is two hundred meters away. The beach is sand and gravel. Sun beds, umbrellas and chaise lounges are given to the guests at no additional cost. All apartments are equipped with modern air conditioning and powerful ventilation systems. Thanks to this, the rooms are never stuffy. On the territory of the hotel restaurants are opened, specializing in different cuisines of the world.

Another worthy option is the Azka Hotel. This five-star hotel is located only one and a half kilometers from the center of Bodrum. It has its own sandy beach on the shores of the beautiful Gulf of Bardakchi. Delivery of food and drinks to the rooms is done around the clock. On site, you can play tennis or squash.

Conclusion

One of the best places for a long-awaited holiday is Bodrum. The sights of the resort can be viewed both independently and with guides. In any case, the opportunity to explore the monuments of antiquity and plunge into an unfamiliar culture will leave a lot of impressions.