descriptionDescription

Bodrum Castle is a historical structure built by the Knights of Saint John, currently serving as the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

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Bodrum Castle was built in the early 15th century by the Knights of Saint John, also known as the Knights of Rhodes. Stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which was destroyed by a major earthquake in 1304, were used in the construction of the castle. This led to the presence of ancient elements in the castle's architecture. The castle has five main towers: the English Tower, the French Tower, the Italian Tower, the German Tower, and the Snake Tower. Each tower reflects the architectural characteristics of the nation that built it. Thanks to its strategic location, the castle was used to control maritime trade routes in the Aegean Sea. After the Ottoman Empire conquered Rhodes, the castle was captured by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522 and came under Ottoman rule. During the Ottoman period, the castle continued to be used for military purposes, but gradually lost its importance. In the Republican era, the castle was restored starting from the 1960s and converted into the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The museum is Turkey's first and only underwater archaeology museum and is considered one of the most important underwater archaeology museums in the world. The museum houses sunken ships found during underwater excavations in the Aegean Sea...

tips_and_updatesVisit Tips

• Allocate at least 2-3 hours for your museum visit.
• Don't forget to explore the different sections of the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, especially the Uluburun Shipwreck exhibition which is very impressive.
• Enjoy the magnificent view of Bodrum and its surroundings from the castle walls.
• During summer months, it is advisable to bring a hat, sunglasses, and water.
• You can relax and enjoy the view at the cafes located inside the castle.