Discover the fascinating history and breathtaking architecture of Bodrum Castle on this relaxing 1.5-hour guided tour, led by a licensed expert. Even on the hottest summer days, the castle offers a cool retreat with shaded walkways, breezy courtyards, and quiet corners perfect for exploration.
Your guide will meet you at the entrance of the castle and lead you through its storied past—from ancient times to modern Turkish history. Highlights include the world-renowned Museum of Underwater Archaeology, home to remarkable artifacts recovered from shipwrecks in the surrounding Aegean waters.
You’ll explore the castle’s key features: the Karia Princess Treasury Room, the towers built by the French, English, and Italian knights, and galleries that bring maritime history to life. Originally constructed by the Knights of St. John between 1406 and 1522, Bodrum Castle—also known as the Castle of St. Peter or Petronium—was built using stones from the nearby Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Each tower—French, Italian, English, German, and Spanish (Snake Tower)—reflects the legacy of the nation that constructed it. After the fall of Rhodes in 1522, the Knights abandoned the castle, which was later used as a prison in the late 19th century. During World War I, it suffered significant damage from French and British naval bombardments.
The castle’s eastern wall is original, while the others are fortified double walls featuring seven gates that lead to the inner keep. Look for the ornate coats of arms, crucifixes, dragon and lion motifs, and the imperial tughra of Sultan Mahmut II. Within the walls lie 14 cisterns, a chapel basement, drawbridges, a watchtower, and remnants of Ottoman additions.