Bodrum Castle

Also known as the Hospitalier or the Knights of Rhodes, St. The Knights of Jean are actually a religious cult. Founded in the 11th century to provide health services to Christians who went on pilgrimage, this sect gained military and political power over time to govern a large area including Bodrum, Rhodes and Malta.

The castle was used for defensive purposes by the Dorians who first founded the city and then further enlarged by the Seljuks. It is thought that large stones from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, were also used in its construction.

Builder of Bodrum Castle, St. Jean Knights, what nationality are they?

The Knights of St. Jean did not consist of only one nation, since it was a mixed organization in which the British, French, Germans and Italians were involved, it is not possible to say that a single nation built the castle. The chapel inside the castle was completed in 1406, the English Tower was completed in 1413, and the first walls were completed in 1437. In 1522, during the siege of Rhodes by the Ottoman navy under Suleiman the Magnificent, the Bodrum castle also was conquered. After the conquest, a minaret was built inside the castle, and the chapel inside the castle was converted into a mosque under the name of Suleymaniye. The castle later lost its importance and was used as a military base and prison.

Bodrum Castle and World War I

The castle also existed during World War I, and the minaret in the castle was destroyed by a cannon shot from a French ship during the war. Until 1921, the castle remained under the occupation of the Italians.

Cem Sultan and Bodrum Castle

One of the details that make Bodrum castle interesting is, the brother of Bayezid II, Cem Sultan the II, who lost the throne war with Bayezid, went to St. He took refuge in the Knights of Jean. According to historian İlber Ortayli, Cem Sultan first stayed in Bodrum Castle and then moved on to Rhodes.

Architectural structure of Bodrum castle

During the time of the castle, it was built on a rocky island off the mainland of Bodrum. Later, the castle was connected to the mainland and turned into a peninsula. The castle, which consists of two parts as the outer castle and the inner castle, is located on an area of approximately 33 acres, measuring 180 meters by 185 meters. In addition to the French Tower, which is 47.50 meters high, there are shorter towers such as the English Tower, the Italian Tower, the German Tower and the Serpent Tower.

To reach the inner castle, it is necessary to pass through a total of 7 gates. Inside the castle, there are classical elements of medieval castles, such as a water ditch, a hanging gate, and crosses on the walls.

Turkiye's only underwater archeology museum is in Bodrum

The castle has a great value as the Underwater Archeology Museum today. This museum, which received the Special Commendation award for the European Museum of the Year competition in 1995, has 14 exhibition halls. Some of these halls make people curious even with their names: The Torture and Massacre Rooms, the Eastern Roman Ship, the Glass Wreck, the Glass Hall, the Carian Princess Hall, the Coin and Jewelery Hall, the German Tower and the English Tower.

The Eastern Mediterranean Amphora Collection, Devil Creek, Yassiada, Islamic Glass Collection and Sparrow Harbor Shipwrecks exhibits are very popular in the museum, where many amphorae, artifacts found in shipwrecks, and remains from excavations in the region are exhibited. One of the most important parts of the museum is the remains of a ship thought to have sunk in 1025. This ship, in which 3 tons of broken and solid glass was removed, is also known as the oldest sunken ship in the world.

This museum and castle, which you must see when you come to Bodrum, are located in Bodrum bazaar.

Address: Carsi Mah, Kale Cad, No: 36
Working hours: Every day 8.30-17:30 (17:00 box office closing)
Phone: +90 252 316 25 16