|
ABOUT BODRUM
Bodrum Today
 Bodrum
is a charming and fascinating little port,
270 km. south of Izmir, on the Aegean coast
of
Turkey. The inhabitants of Bodrum are around
30.000 and earn their living by fishing,
boat-building,
agriculture, weaving (the village Mumcular
is famous for its carpets, kilims and other
weavings) and tourism, which has become the
most important industry in the last few
years.
In recent times Bodrum has become not only a
tourist center but also a visiting place for
famous Turkish and foreign artists and also
an art center, which is a source of
inspiration.
The heart of the town is around the harbor,
where shops, bars and restaurants jostle
together in the narrow streets under the
shadow of the St. Peter Castle . The main
artery is Cumhurriyet Caddesi (Republic
Street), much better known as bar street.
This street is a pedestrianized showcase of
what the town has to offer. Skilled artisans
can make you a pair of snugly fitting
leather sandals in the traditional Aegean
style, while small boutiques offer stylish
creations inspired by local designs and
fabrics. Shopping tips: mainstream Turkish
Fashions (Gallery Emelce) are well
represented to, with clothes designed for
hot summer living . The souvenir shops sell
attractive onyx, copper and brass ware,
along with toy camels, and Gold harem
slippers. Cafes and restaurants offer a
cosmopolitan choice. To accompany your meal,
try the light aniseed flavored national
drink Raki or locally produced wine. After
sundown, Bodrum lights up with flashing neon
and laser shows to pulsating throb of the
latest dance music. It's party time all over
the town.
 Bodrum
in ancient times
Herodotus
The history of Bodrum, known as
Halicarnassus or Halicarnassos goes back to
the 13th century BC. Excavaties reveal the
5000 year old history of this town. Many
civilisations found their home here. Carians
for excample, Homer tells in his Ilia, that
the Carians helped to defend Troya.
Heredotus, known as the father of history,
was born
in Bodrum in 484 BC.- and he said that
Bodrum had
been founded by the Dorians. The next
settlers were Carians and Lelegians. In the
6'th. century BC., the region came under
Persian rule. Its most brilliant period was
around 353. BC. when it was the capital of
the Satrap of Caria (In this century it was
famous for its trade, sailing and
boatbuilding.) Artemisia who was a
warrior-woman played a significant role in
the protection of the Asian Union and she
achieved fame by adopting a
stance against Rhodes as the Admiral of the
Carian
fleet in 480 BC. |
Information
