Bodrum Castle

Introduction

Nestled on a rocky peninsula between two harbours in Bodrum, Muğla Province, the Bodrum Castle and Museum of Underwater Archaeology offers a captivating journey through centuries of maritime history and medieval military architecture. This extraordinary fortress‑museum, officially known as Bodrum Castle, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of the Knights Hospitaller and the enduring legacy of underwater archaeological exploration.

About the Museum

Bodrum Castle was constructed by the Knights of St. John between 1406 and 1522 on the foundations of earlier Byzantine and Turkish fortifications. Crafted from stone and even fragments from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the castle is a superb example of Gothic military architecture, featuring seven defensive gates, double walls on its northern and western faces, and fourteen cisterns for rainwater.

Following its surrender to the Ottomans in 1523 during Sultan Suleiman’s conquest, the interior chapel was converted into a mosque with an added minaret. The complex later served as a military base, then a prison from 1895 until World War I, when it was bombarded by a French warship in 1915 and left in ruin.

In 1964, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism transformed the restored castle into the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The museum’s collection spans finds from the fourteenth century before Christ to the sixteenth century after Christ, excavated from shipwrecks off the Turkish coast starting in the 1960s. Officially named the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology in 1981, it remains Turkey’s sole museum dedicated to underwater archaeology and is among the most significant in the world .

Inside, visitors can explore fourteen exhibition halls, including the Coin and Jewellery Hall, Amphora storeroom, Glass Wreck Hall, Yassıada, Şeytan Deresi, Serçe Limani wrecks, Early Bronze Age burial displays, a Carian Princess tomb, and artefacts from Pedasa and the Bronze and Mycenaean Ages. The castle grounds also feature open-air displays of stone artefacts, anchors, sarcophagi, cannons, and historic vessels. The serene courtyards are home to Mediterranean flora, turtles, and peacocks, offering a uniquely tranquil setting .

Since June 2025, the museum welcomes visitors both by day and night—daytime from 08:30 to 19:00 (last ticket at 18:15) and nighttime from 19:00 to 22:00 (last ticket at 21:30).

Interesting Facts

• Medieval mosaic of towers: Five towers bear the names of the major European “tongues” of the Knights—English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The highest, the French Tower, stands 47.5 metres above sea level .
• Mausoleum‑stone reuse: Much of the castle was built using salvaged stones and marble from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Aerial regional views: Climbing the towers or walking the ramparts offers commanding panoramas of Bodrum and its sparkling bays.
• Rich underwater trove: The museum is famed for its vast collection of amphoras and artefacts from sunken ships including Yassıada, Şeytan Deresi, Serçe Limani, and the Bronze‑Age Uluburun wreck.
• European recognition: In 1995, the museum received a “Special Praise” award at the European Museum of the Year competition.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +90 444 0048

Website: muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?sectionId=BSA01&distId=MRK

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Bodrum%20Castle/123684041009814/#

Conclusion

From its origins as a Byzantine site, through its tenure under the Knights of St. John and the Ottoman Empire, to its current incarnation as a premier centre for underwater archaeology, Bodrum Castle and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology offers visitors a rich tapestry of history, culture, and maritime heritage. Whether wandering through medieval chapels now displaying ancient shipwreck artefacts, admiring towering Gothic architecture, or enjoying the leafy courtyards with roaming peacocks, guests leave with a deep appreciation of the Eastern Mediterranean’s past. With extended evening hours now available, there is no better time to experience the allure and magic of this remarkable museum fortress.