Bodrum Castle

This magnificent building dominates the harbour area of Bodrum. Built on a rocky peninsula between two bays, the castle is almost square shaped and the initial walls were finished using material from the Mausoleum.
The Knights Hospitallers based on Rhodes built the Castle of St Peter in the early 15th Century and it defended Bodrum, not always successfully, to the end of World War I. This was the last Christian stronghold in Anatolia.
The Castle became a museum in 1961 and houses the Museum of Underwater Archeology (not that you have to go underwater to see it!!).
There is so much to see in the Castle you must allow plenty of time and wear suitable footwear as there are lots of ramps and steps to negotiate on the way round. Fortunately there are some pleasant courtyards where you sit in the shade and enjoy a drink whilst soaking up the atmosphere. These areas are like nature parks with Mediterranean flowers, plants and shrubs as well as peacocks and doves. There are also toilets at various places throughout!
The small Gothic style chapel, converted to a mosque in 1523 and lying in the shade of a mulberry tree is the most attractive building in the castle. It now houses a full sized reconstruction of the stern of a 7th Century Byzantine vessel.
The castle has 5 towers: the Snake with an exhibition of amphora; the German set out in medieval European style; the French has the remains of Queen Ada, a Carian princess whose intact tomb was found in 1989, the English built during reign of King Henry IV of England and displaying the standards of the Grand Master of Knights Hospitaller and their Turkish adversaries. There is of course the dungeon to visit as well.
Some of the exhibition halls close for lunch and some charge an extra admission fee.

---