BODRUM

Bodrum was known as Halicarnassus in ancient times. Herodotus was born here in 485 B.C. Mausolos, the Carian King of the region, made Bodrum its capital in the fourth century and after his death his wife built him a Mausoleum which became one of the seven wonders of the world. Nothing much is left today of this Mausoleum but the location is still visited. Bodrum today is a lively summer resort, buzzling with people, restaurants, bars and night life. Bodrum Castle and the Underwater Archaeology Museum within the castle are the highlights. The castle was built by the Knights of St. John of Rhodes between 1402 and 1415. The castle was restored and established as an archaeological museum in 1964. This museum which houses both land and underwater relics, is considered to be the most important underwater archaeological museum in the world. There are many finds taken from six shipwrecks dating back to the 11th Century B.C. A more recent denizen of the Museum is the Princess Ada of Caria, who had lived in Bodrum 2350 years ago! Her well preserved skeleton was found in a tomb in the outskirts of Bodrum sometime in 1989. The skull and teeth were in such good condition that it was suggested a facial reconstruction may be possible. Dr. Neave and his team undertook the reconstruction and the result was successful.

MYNDOS

A sheltered ancient harbour where the pretty village of GYmYßlYk is located. You can walk the walls or climb the acroplis of Myndos, a lelegian settlement probably transfered to this site in the 4th B.C. by the satrap Mausulus. The sunset view of the Dodecanese is without equal.

KNIDOS

A Hellenistic city and the site of the temple of Afrodite, where tourists in antiquity flocked to see Praxiteles statue of the goddess. Here was the last port of call in Asia minor for the grain ships batting against the winds from Egypt to Rome.