The world-famous Bodrum Peninsula is one of the paradise corners of Turkey with its 3,500 years of history, culture and art inherited from ancient civilisations, natural beauties, unique architecture, agricultural richness, gastronomy, climate, sea and magnificent bays, entertainment life that lasts until the morning, qualified and different concept accommodation facilities that meet every need of visitors. You can encounter the remains of an ancient city in every corner of Bodrum. The Bodrum peninsula is a place frequented by archaeologists from many parts of the world and various excavations are still continuing in different regions. In the Cheese Blossom cave in the Gundogan neighbourhood, ceramics from the Chalcolithic age were found. This discovery is very important as it is one of the rare Chalcolithic cave settlements in Western Anatolia and shows that the history of Bodrum dates back to 5000 BC.
Bodrum, which has been home to many empires due to its geographical location since ancient times, harbours traces of various cultures and civilisations such as Leleg, Caria, Persia, Persia, Dor, Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. It is also possible to observe the ruins of many large and small ancient cities such as Pedesa, Syangela, Theangela, Telmisos, Termera.
Halicarnassos, one of the most important port cities of the Carian Region in ancient times, is considered to be the birthplace of many important people such as Herodotus, known as the father of history, and Artemisia I, the first female admiral of history. It is known that this city was founded by the Dorians who came to the city with the migrations after the Trojan Wars around 1000 BC. Bodrum, which was an island at that time, later became a peninsula. Although the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the world, was destroyed by earthquakes and the plunder of Alexander the Great throughout history, it is possible to visit the remaining columns and stones. Bodrum castle, also known as St Peter’s Castle, was built by the Knights of St. Petrium. And the name Bodrum comes from here. One of the symbols of Bodrum is the ancient theatre.
This ancient theatre, on which hundreds of events are still held every year and actively used, was built by King Mausolos in the 4th century BC. When you visit this building, which was built in Greco-Roman architecture, is in very good condition and is all standing, you will see the unique Bodrum castle and Bodrum view. In addition, the roofless white houses built in Greek style, narrow stone streets and Bodrum houses decorated with bougainvillea are also protected by UNESCO. Most parts of the peninsula have the status of an open-air museum. Bodrum was also an important centre for tobacco production and trade during the Ottoman period. As a result of the events that occurred due to the banning of tobacco for a while during the Ottoman period, the Bodrum Folk Song was written.
Bodrum peninsula stands out not only with its historical heritage but also with its unique nature and delicious flavours. Plants such as Cantoron Flower and Sand Lily are only one of the endemic plant species of Bodrum. It is thought that there are 427 endemic plant species in total. Some of them are even used as food and some are used in the pharmaceutical industry.
Bodrum’s entertainment life starts with the sunset and continues until the first light of the morning. The most famous of the bars streets that you can find in almost every neighbourhood are Bodrum bars street and gumbet bars street. However, when you come to Bodrum, you should definitely stop by the meyhaneler street.
Çökertme Kebab and Bodrum Ravioli, which are the first and fifth in the list of the world’s best yoghurt dishes among the 2024 lists of Taste Atlas, are among the flavours you should not go without eating. The things to be told about this peninsula, where you can enjoy the Aegean cuisine with olive oil, appetisers, local dishes, swim in turquoise blue bays, make historical excursions and have fun, do not end with writing.
