BODRUM and ITS SURROUNDINGS

Located on ancient Halicarnasssos, Bodrum was foundedn in 1000 BC and the town lived affluently during Hecatomnid period in 4 BC. Although the most famous sovereigns of Hecatomnid dynasty is unquestionably Mausolus, three spectacular goddesses were evolved from the dynasty: Great Artemisia, Young Artemisia (Both of them showed superior ability during the war when Rhodians attacked Persian shores) and Alexander The Great’s close friend Ada. Young Artemisia completed the wonderful tomb which is accepted as the seven wonders of ancient age. Unfortunately, only a small part of this masterpiece was able to reach to present. Today, Bodrum is a tourist centre famous with its narrow streets in which breeze blowing from the sea leaks freely, its white painted houses decorated with purple bougainvilleas. St. Peter Castle hosting fascinating underwater archeological museum preserves it dominance over the town for centuries.

Gümüşlük / Myndos

Gümüşlük village was founded on ancient Myndos town. There is not much left for today from Myndos except a few harbor residue and a door frame. Nevertheless, very few thing in the world can be as beautiful as sharing perfect restaurants’ taste with the sunset. Going to Gümüşlük from Divan Bodrum at nightfall will give you an extremely enjoyable and peaceful moments.

Bargylia

Although Bargylia is very close to the Centrum, it is regarded as strange for visitors of Bargylia’s being known by very few people regarding its charming residues and easy accessible location. The town also appeals to those who wants to watch a nice landscape thanks to steep hill it is located on. Among worth seeing ruins, we can count city walls ruins, massive Byzantine sustaining wall and fascinating theatre trimmed with olive trees. Bargylia reaches the climax of its beauty especially in spring season when it is coated with a carpet of lilies.

Milas

Before King Mausolus carried the honor to Bodrum Halicarnassos, Milas was founded on ancient Mylasa town which was Carian Hecatomnid dynasty’s capital city. The leading and stunning Zeus Temple reflecting its glorious history is only composed of a massive platform and a column standing alone and today used as a nest by white storks. Apart from Zeus Temple, among important pieces found in ören place, city gate known as Balta Door and a spectacular tomb known as Gümüşseken can be counted. The tomb reached today in an incredibly good condition. So, this gave us the chance of having an idea about how Mausolus’ original grave can be seen. Milas lived its second spring when it became the capital city of Menteşe Emirates in 14^th century; the town turned back to its old magnificent times by construction of a big caravanserai and the Ulu Cami in those periods.

Labranda

Monuments that you will see in Labranda, one of the most magnificent ancient towns in western Türkiye, are ranked on a high platform on the mountainside. Actually, rather than being a town, Labranda was a religious centre dedicated to Carian god Zeus carrying remarkably masculine features.  

Euromos

On 12^th km of the highway between Milas and Bafa, near Ayaklı Village, the obscure ancient city Euromos is found.

One of the most well-preserved temples of Anatolia is Zeus Lepsynos Temple in Euromos. The columns of the building reconstructed by destroying the original temple in 2 BC, in other words in Roman Empire age by different families of the town. For example, on devotional tablets on 5 columns physicist Menekrates and his daughter Tryphania’s name is written.
 

Iassos

Iassos located on the north of Bodrum is within a distance of approximately 55 km. Once, Iassos could only be reached by boat but today it can easily be reached by land.

For its privileged location, its famous marble and fishery, Iassos was inhabited since the first periods of history. It was founded in 9 BC by people coming from Argos. Iassos where Miletus inhabitants immigrated later is dated to much earlier dates due to Mycenaean pottery, Mycenaean houses founded as a result of archeological excavations. During these excavations started in 1960 under the presidency of Archeologist Doro Levi, it was understood that the earliest settling was located on the acropolis top of the city. Iassos antiques show similarity between Anatolian, Greece and Crete cultures.

The most important gods of the city were Apollo and Artemisia. One of the relieves found in Iassos shows Artemisia Astias. This is the combination of local goddess and the hunter Artemisia. The secon important god in Iassos was Dionysus who has a sanctuary and in the name of whom festivals organized.

Strabo tells that Iassos land is not so fertile but people live by the sea. Iassos which is still an important fishery centre was located on an island in the ancient ages. Today, approximately 2 km of city walls are located on this island which is integrated with the mainland.

One of the most interesting architecture in the city is a mausoleum. There is a small Cortinthian Sanctuary on the burial chamber. 

The first outstanding monuments in the town as follows:

Iassos’ Agora and a very well preserved Odeon dated to Imperial age; Sezaryum where all important gods were adored; theatre dedicated to Iassos people and the wine god; Roman villa where Italian archeologists discovered mosaics and frescos; very well preserved Fish Market and the holy area dedicated to Demeter and Chorea.   

A large number of coins demonstrating a young boy and a Dolphin on it and found in Iassos reminds us the famous Iassos legend. This child of Iassos made friends with a dolphin is both mentioned by Plinius and Aelian. Pilinius tells that Alexander the Great was affected by this story and took the boy of Iassos along and even brought him to the head of Poseidon’s monks.