Bodrum history

Foundation and Ancient Roots

The history of modern Bodrum is rooted in deep antiquity, when the city bore the famous name Halicarnassus. It was founded by Dorian Greeks (originating from Argolis) around the 11th–10th centuries BC on the site of an earlier settlement of Leleges and Carians. The first mentions of the city are associated with its inclusion in the Dorian Hexapolis — a union of six cities united by common religious and trade interests.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Halicarnassus from a small colony into a prosperous capital was driven by a combination of unique factors:

• Strategic Geography: The city was situated in a convenient natural harbour at the junction of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, ensuring fleet protection and control over maritime routes.
• Political Rise: The city's golden age arrived in the 4th century BC, when the ruler Mausolus moved the capital of Caria here, significantly expanding the territory and strengthening defences.
• Trade: Thanks to its location, the city became a crucial transit point for goods moving between the Greek world and Asia Minor.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period was based on seafaring, fishing, and wine exports. The cultural life of the city was distinguished by a unique synthesis of Greek and local Carian traditions. It was this environment that gave the world the "Father of History," Herodotus.

The pinnacle of cultural and architectural development was the construction of the grand tomb of King Mausolus — the Mausoleum, which was recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and forever inscribed the city's name in world history.

Major Milestones in Bodrum's History

The rich history of the city spans millennia, from ancient Greek roots to its transformation into a modern tourism hub. Below are the key events that shaped the character of Bodrum.

• 11th Century BC — Dorian Greeks found a settlement on the site of the current city, which would later become known as Halicarnassus.
• 6th Century BC — The city comes under the control of the Persian Empire while retaining a degree of autonomy under local rulers.
• c. 484 BC — Herodotus, the great ancient Greek scholar whom Cicero would later call the "Father of History," is born in Halicarnassus.
• 377 BC — Ruler Mausolus moves the capital of Caria to Halicarnassus, initiating an era of prosperity and massive architectural construction.
• 353 BC — After the ruler's death, the construction of the grand tomb begins — the Mausoleum, which would subsequently be recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• 334 BC — The forces of Alexander the Great besiege and capture the city, leading to significant destruction of its defensive structures.
• 129 BC — Halicarnassus officially becomes part of the Roman province of Asia, receiving the status of a free city and entering a period of relative stability.
• 1402 — The Knights Hospitaller from Rhodes begin the construction of the Castle of St. Peter, using stones from the ruins of the ancient Mausoleum for fortifications.
• 1522 — Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent incorporates the city into the Ottoman Empire, after which the castle becomes a Turkish fortress.
• 1919–1921 — In the period following World War I, the city is temporarily under Italian administration.
• 1925 — Writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı ("The Fisherman of Halicarnassus") is exiled to Bodrum; his works would later make the city popular among the Turkish intelligentsia.
• 1960s — The Ministry of Tourism of Turkey begins active development of the region, transforming the quiet fishing port into a world-class resort.

Stages of Transformation and Development

Bodrum has journeyed from an ancient capital to a quiet fishing village, and then to an elite global resort. Highlighted below are the key moments that defined the city's economic and architectural identity.

• Urban Planning Reform of Mausolus (4th Century BC)

  Transforming the city into the capital of Caria was the first massive urban project. A regular street plan was implemented, an ancient theatre was built, and the Mausoleum was erected. This secured the city's status as an important political and cultural centre of antiquity.

• Construction of the Castle of St. Peter (15th Century)

  The arrival of the Knights Hospitaller radically changed the harbour panorama. The erection of a powerful fortress not only strengthened the port's military significance but also gave the city its modern name (from Petronium to Bodrum). Stones from the earthquake-damaged Mausoleum were used for construction, forever altering the historical landscape.

• Era of Maritime Trades and Shipbuilding (18th–19th Centuries)

  In the Ottoman period, the city's economy reoriented towards sponge diving and the construction of traditional wooden schooners — gulets. This formed the unique maritime culture of the locals and laid the foundation for the future development of yachting.

• Cultural Renaissance of "The Fisherman of Halicarnassus" (1920s – 1950s)

  The exile of writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı became a turning point in the perception of the city. His work attracted Turkish intelligentsia, artists, and poets here, turning Bodrum from a place of exile into a centre of artistic life and inspiration.

• Birth of the "Blue Cruises" (1960s)

  The transformation of traditional shipbuilding into a tourism service. Local fishermen began refitting their gulets to transport travellers, launching the famous sea cruises along the turquoise coast and creating a new economic sector.

• Infrastructure Boom and Mass Tourism (from the 1980s)

  State support for tourism led to the active construction of hotels, the opening of an international airport, and the modernisation of roads. The city stepped onto the international stage, becoming one of the most popular resorts on the Aegean Sea.

• Establishment of the Architectural Code

  A crucial urban planning decision was the ban on high-rise construction. The requirement to build only two-storey white houses with flat roofs allowed the preservation of Bodrum's unique visual style, distinguishing it from other resorts.

Architectural Mosaic: From Antiquity to the White City

The appearance of Bodrum is unique in that it harmoniously intertwines the ruins of majestic Halicarnassus, stern medieval fortifications, and the globally recognisable snow-white style of local buildings. The city developed not chaotically, but in accordance with both the terrain and strict urban planning traditions.

Major Architectural Eras and Styles

In the architectural fabric of the city, several key layers can be clearly identified, each corresponding to a specific historical period:

• Hellenistic Classicism (4th Century BC)

  The era of King Mausolus left the city with a regular street layout and monumental structures. Although the famous Mausoleum is destroyed, the spirit of that era lives on in the Ancient Theatre, carved into the hillside facing the sea, as well as in the ruins of the Myndos Gate. This is an example of classical Greek architecture focused on harmony with the landscape.

• Medieval Fortification (15th Century)

  The city's dominant feature is the Castle of St. Peter. It is a vivid example of the military architecture of the Knights Hospitaller, combining Gothic elements (in the chapel and tower design) with powerful defensive walls. A distinct feature of this structure is the use of "spolia": marble blocks and columns taken from the ruins of the ancient Mausoleum are clearly visible in the masonry.

• Ottoman and Traditional Style (18th–20th Centuries)

  It was during this period that Bodrum's visual brand was formed. Local architecture is represented by small stone houses, whitewashed with lime, featuring bright blue doors and windows. This style is dictated by the climate: the white colour reflects the sun, while thick walls keep the interior cool. Flat roofs, used for collecting rainwater, are characteristic.

Typology of the Bodrum House

The traditional buildings that form the cosy narrow streets of the old town are divided into several types:

• "Musandıralı" Type: Houses with mezzanines, where the lower floor was used as a barn or storage, and the upper floor as living space.
• "Sakız" (Chios) Type: Two-storey mansions, often owned by wealthier citizens or merchants, influenced by the architecture of the neighbouring island of Chios.
• Tower Houses: Fortified square-shaped dwellings built for defence against pirates in earlier periods.

Modern Urban Planning and Design Code

Unlike many resorts filled with multi-storey hotels, Bodrum has preserved its charm thanks to strict municipal regulations.

• Height Restriction: A rule is in effect prohibiting the construction of buildings higher than two storeys. This preserves panoramic sea views for all residents and maintains a unified scale of development.
• Colour Code: The requirement to use white for facades remains mandatory, creating the famous effect of a "white city against a blue background."
• Modern Luxury: New districts, such as Yalıkavak, demonstrate examples of modern Mediterranean architecture and high-tech design (for example, the Yalikavak Marina complex), which, however, strives to fit into the low-rise landscape using natural stone and glass.

Legends of Ancient Halicarnassus

The ancient history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of rulers, warriors, and thinkers whose legacy has survived millennia.

• Herodotus (5th Century BC) — "Father of History," Ancient Greek historian.
  The most famous native of the city. It was here that the author of the monumental work "The Histories" was born and raised, systematically describing the Greco-Persian Wars and the customs of many peoples of the ancient world for the first time.
• Mausolus (4th Century BC) — Ruler of Caria, Satrap of the Persian Empire.
  He turned Halicarnassus into a prosperous capital. His name became a household word thanks to the construction of a grand tomb (the Mausoleum), which entered the list of the Seven Wonders of the World and gave the world the word "mausoleum."
• Artemisia I (5th Century BC) — Ruler of Halicarnassus, Naval Commander.
  A legendary female admiral who commanded the fleet. She became famous for her wisdom and courage in the Battle of Salamis, earning the respect of even her enemies.
• Dionysius of Halicarnassus (1st Century BC) — Historian, rhetorician, and critic.
  An outstanding literary figure of the Augustan era. After moving to Rome, he wrote "Roman Antiquities" — a fundamental work linking the history of Rome with Greek culture.

Figures of the Ottoman Era and Modernity

In later periods, Bodrum became the birthplace of great naval commanders and a place of inspiration for Turkey's creative intelligentsia.

• Turgut Reis (1485–1565) — Ottoman Admiral, Corsair.
  One of the greatest naval commanders of the Ottoman Empire was born in the village of Karabağ (now the town of Turgutreis near Bodrum). An entire district on the peninsula is named after him.
• Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı (1890–1973) — Writer, ethnographer, "The Fisherman of Halicarnassus".
  The man who "discovered" Bodrum for the world. Exiled here, he fell in love with the city and dedicated his work to it. It was he who conceived the concept of "Blue Cruises" on gulets, laying the foundation for local tourism.
• Zeki Müren (1931–1996) — Singer, composer, actor.
  Known as the "Sun of Art" in Turkey. He spent the last years of his life in Bodrum, contributing to its popularity among the artistic community. His house has now been turned into a popular museum.
• Neyzen Tevfik (1879–1953) — Satirist poet and virtuoso ney (reed flute) player.
  A native of Bodrum, known for his rebellious spirit and sharp satire. He is one of the colourful figures of early 20th-century Turkish literature.