Bodrum Hotels

BODRUM CASTLE

Constructed by the Knights of Rhodes during the Crusades of the middle Ages, it was given the name The Castle of St. Petrus, or Petronium.

It occupies the area c.180 by 185 meters. Access to the castle is done through seven major gates. A short ramp leads the visitors to the first gate where a warning warns people about spying. Nearly 250 coat of arms bear witness for the Christian occupation of the castle for a while

It was built partly from the remains of the mausoleum of Mausolus, which had collapsed as the result of an earthquake. The exterior walls were designed by the German architect Heinrich Schlgelholt (in the early 15th century) and were strengthened by five towers known usually as the Italian tower, the French tower, the German tower, the English tower and the Snake tower.

The French tower is thought to be the earliest with the others being added during the following century. Architect Angelo Mascettola built the Italian tower in 1436. The final parts of the structure were erected in the time of Pierre díAbusson between 1476 and 1593, with the English tower being added around 1480. The walls of the castle contain the coats of arms and armorial bearings of many of the knights that served there.

German Tower

The Knights used as dining place and as refectory German Tower. German knight were smallest in number among the Knights. Over the door of the German Tower, there is surprising coat of arms depicting double-headed eagle. It is also suggested German Tower was used as hospital building during the occupation of Knights.

French Tower

French Tower is one of the two impressive towers, situated just in the center of the castle. During the earliest construction period, since the master of the order was French captain, Philibert Naillac, French Tower was constructed as the most dominating tower of the castle. His coat of arms, accompanied of those of France and Pope are put on the east wall of the tower.

British Tower

Located at the southwest corner of the castle, English Tower was built with the contributions from England. The tower had originally three floors. The gate, which is situated at the second floor, opens into a great vaulted room with three windows. All the knights used as refectory or as a dining room this hall. English Tower is decorated by many coats of Arms on its walls. On the Main entry, there is display of British Heraldry. English Tower, which was built during the time of Henry IV, offers to visitors most amazing collection of Coat of Arms of main contributors. Visitors see the arms of the king and members of Royal Family and 14 coats of arms representing Knights of the Garter. On the west wall, visitors see a lion figure form ancient Halicarnasus and a carving depicting the coats of England.

Italian Tower

Italian Tower is centrally located (near French Tower) and one of the highest tower of the castle. One of the interesting carvings on the Italian tower is an Ionic Capital with an inscription mentioning Italy. This capital originating from Mausoleum of Halicarnasus surrounds the arms of Ancelo Muscetola who was the first captain of the castle and held the office from 1431 to 1434.

One of the notable coats of arms on the Italian Tower shows wine with the grapes and a column. This coat of arms of Tomas Provana of Italy who was the captain of the castle in 1490.

Chapel

This small but very attractive Gothic chapel was constructed between 1402 and 1435 from the ancient materials was restored in 1519 by the Spanish Knights. After the Ottoman arrival in 1523, a minaret was added and the chapel was turned into a mosque. The building was badly damaged when the French shelled the castle in 1915, during the First World War.

Captured by the Ottomans in 1522 during the reign of Kanuni Sultan Suleyman, the church on the site was converted into a mosque (Suleymaniye Camisi). Later during the reign of Abdulhamit II, the castle was used as a place of exile.

These days Bodrum Castle is somewhere few people would complain about being exiled to. The Castle is open to the public and houses Bodrum’s famous Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

The museum which first opened in 1964, is Turkey’s first and only museum specializing in underwater archaeology and was opened to house findings from various excavations at Galidonya, Yassiada, Serce Limani, Seytan Deresi, and the nearby sites of Ortakent and Gokce. The museum houses treasures from every age of occupation from Mycenaean, through archaic Classic and Hellenistic Greek, to Roman and Byzantine - all exhibited in chronological order. Among those items exhibited, are Amphora and other stoneware including bowls, glassware, vases, candles, jewelry, miniature statues, coins and tombstones.

The most interesting exhibits are undoubtedly those found on the wrecks. The many handsome amphorae, the black child statues and the statue of the goddess Isis are particularly fine.
Also worth seeing are the bronze signs from Gelidonya, the farming implements, the bronze weighing scales and the many bronze coins.

The summer months see many other exhibitions, displays and even concerts taking place in the precincts of the castle. All in all, its historical ambiance, fine museum and interesting exhibitions are something that no visitor to Bodrum should miss. But if you don't get a chance to check out the interior of the Castle,

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