Bodrum
Center and landmark of the city is the Castle of the Knights of St. John on a peninsula in the harbour underneath which the city seems to seek shade. The view from above down to the town glistening in the sun is one of the most popular subjects for photographs in the southern Aegean and Bodrum is nearly able to keep what it promises from afar. It is also the intact town scenery that accounts for Bodrum´s attractiveness. Fortunately authorities have found in time that its image and attractiveness cannot be elevated by building bulky hotels. Some Turks say that Bodrum is the only place they really want to live in. What they want to say is that it´s usually not that "western" in Anatolia in terms of lively and unreserved.With regard to sights, Bodrum offers a lot: The "Bodrum Kalesi" (a Crusader Castle) dating from the 15th century can be found on a tongue of land and surmounts the city. The well-preserved castle buildings accommodate a museum where ancient findings from the region are displayed. Even an underwater museum with maritime findings is part of the castle. King Mausolos`s Mausoleum once belonged to the Seven Wonders. Like many of the ancient Turkish findings, many parts of this monument were brought to the British Museum in London. Only the base plate is still on its original position. A bit above the gravesite sits a theatre (3rd century B.C.) some remnants of which have remained until today. North of it in a steep wall burial chambers are arranged, with one main chamber and some neighbouring chambers. The view from here over the sea and the city of Bodrum is fantastic. Further west remnants of an old city wall (4th century) are to be found. On Thursday and Friday a lively market takes place.