Location: Bodrum Harbor Map
Constructed: 1402- 37
Tel. (0252) 316 25 16
Open: 9am- noon & 2pm- 7pm
The Castle of Saint Peter, also known as Bodrum Castle (Turkish: Bodrum Kalesi), is a historic fortress located in Bodrum, a port city in Muğla Province, southwest Turkey. Built by the Knights Hospitaller (Order of St. John) starting in 1402, it served as a Christian stronghold in Asia Minor and a refuge against the rising Ottoman Empire. Spanning approximately 30,000 square feet on a rocky peninsula between two harbors, the castle is a masterpiece of 15th-century Crusader architecture, incorporating stones from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, it houses the renowned Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, making it a major cultural and tourist landmark. Its inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2016 underscores its global significance.
The Castle of Saint Peter, officially named the Castle of St. Peter
the Liberator of the Order of the Knights of the Hospital of St. John of
Rhodes, was constructed in response to growing Ottoman threats in the
early 15th century. After the fall of Smyrna (Izmir) to Tamerlane in
1402, the Knights Hospitaller, based on Rhodes, sought a mainland
stronghold. Grand Master Philibert de Naillac (1396–1421) selected a
strategic site in Bodrum, then known as Halicarnassus, opposite the
island of Kos, where the Order already had a fortress. The site had
historical significance, with evidence of Doric fortifications (circa
1100 BCE), a small 11th-century Seljuk castle, and possibly the palace
of Mausolus, the Carian ruler whose mausoleum was a Wonder of the
Ancient World.
Construction began in 1404 under German architect
Heinrich Schlegelholt, with a papal decree in 1409 promising heavenly
rewards to workers. The castle was built using volcanic greenstone and
marble from the nearby Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which had collapsed
due to an earthquake. The fortress was completed in stages: the chapel
by 1406, the English Tower by 1413, and the outer walls by 1437. It
served as the Order’s second most important castle for over a century,
offering refuge to Christians in Asia Minor.
The castle withstood
Ottoman attacks, including after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and
an assault by Sultan Mehmed II in 1480. In 1482, Prince Cem Sultan, a
rebellious Ottoman prince, sought refuge here. However, in 1522, during
the Siege of Rhodes, Sultan Süleyman I (the Magnificent) forced the
Knights to surrender Rhodes, Kos, and Bodrum. The castle was handed over
in January 1523, and the chapel was converted into a mosque, named
Süleymaniye Camii, with a minaret added.
Under Ottoman rule, the
castle was used as a garrison base and, from 1895, a prison. It suffered
significant damage during World War I when a French battleship bombarded
it on May 26, 1915, leading to its abandonment. The Italians briefly
used it as a headquarters during their occupation of Bodrum (1919–1921).
After the Turkish War of Independence in 1921, the castle was evacuated.
In 1962, the Turkish government transformed it into the Bodrum Museum of
Underwater Archaeology, restoring its historical and cultural
prominence.
Bodrum Castle is a square-shaped fortress measuring 590 x 606 feet
(180 x 185 meters), with its highest point at 155.8 feet (47.5 meters)
above sea level. Situated on a rocky peninsula surrounded by sea on
three sides, it divides Bodrum’s twin harbors, offering strategic
defensive advantages. The castle’s design reflects advanced 15th-century
military architecture, with Gothic influences and contributions from
multiple European nations, as the Knights Hospitaller were organized
into linguistic groups (langues).
Key Architectural Elements:
Towers: The castle features five towers, each associated with a national
group of the Knights:
French Tower: The earliest, completed around
1406, with a Gothic-style chapel reconstructed by Spanish Knights in
1519–1520.
English Tower (Lion Tower): Completed in 1413, it features
a carved lion relief and the coat of arms of King Henry IV of England.
Accessible via a drawbridge, it houses an exhibit on the Knights
Hospitaller.
Italian Tower: Built in 1436 by architect Angelo
Mascettola.
German Tower: Part of the later constructions, it now
displays archaeological artifacts.
Spanish Tower (Snake Tower): Added
during the late 15th century, named for its serpentine design or
carvings. These towers reflect the multinational effort, with each
langue contributing to their construction and design.
Walls and
Gates: The castle’s double-walled structure, particularly on the eastern
(landward) side, was thickened in 1494 to withstand cannon fire. The
inner castle is accessed through seven gates, each adorned with 249
surviving coats of arms, including those of grand masters, knights, and
religious figures. The gates feature crucifixes, dragons, and lions,
with twisting passages designed to confuse attackers, exposing them to
arrows, stones, or heated oil from above.
Moat and Drawbridge: The
northern moat ingeniously uses seawater, enhancing defense. A drawbridge
provided access to the English Tower, while a now-ruined bridge crossed
the moat to the main entrance in the northwestern corner.
Chapel:
Built by 1406 and reconstructed in Gothic style by Spanish Knights, the
chapel was converted into a mosque after 1522. Its minaret, destroyed in
1915, was rebuilt in 1997. The chapel now houses exhibits of Mycenaean
and Bronze Age artifacts.
Cisterns: Fourteen cisterns, including one
in the chapel’s basement, were excavated to collect rainwater, ensuring
self-sufficiency during sieges. The family responsible for this feat
earned the honorific “Burrows.”
Ottoman Additions: A Turkish bath
(hamam) and the mosque conversion reflect Ottoman modifications. The
tughra (imperial seal) of Sultan Mahmut II is a notable feature.
The castle’s walls incorporate marble columns and reliefs from the
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, blending ancient and medieval elements.
Excavations revealed 4th-century BCE greenstone blocks, possibly from
Mausolus’s palace, and traces of a Doric fortification. The 249 coats of
arms, including those of Grand Masters like Jacques de Milly and Pierre
d’Aubusson, are a heraldic treasure, showcasing the Order’s
multinational identity.
Since 1962, the castle has housed the Bodrum Museum of Underwater
Archaeology, the world’s largest museum dedicated to underwater finds
and one of Turkey’s most significant cultural institutions. The museum,
spread across 14 exhibit halls, displays artifacts from shipwrecks
excavated in the Aegean Sea, primarily by the Institute of Nautical
Archaeology (INA) since the 1960s.
Key Exhibits:
Finike-Gelidonya Shipwreck (12th century BCE): The first underwater
excavation in Turkey (1958–1959), yielding bronze and copper ingots.
Bodrum-Yassiada Shipwrecks: Including a 7th-century Byzantine vessel
with 900 amphoras, a 4th-century Late Roman ship, and a 16th-century
Ottoman wreck dated by a Spanish silver coin.
Carian Princess Room:
Features the skeleton of a Carian woman discovered in 1989, alongside
jewelry and artifacts.
Mycenaean Artifacts: Tools, weapons, and
jewelry from the 15th-century BCE Müsgebi necropolis near Bodrum.
Glassware and Amphoras: Collections from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman
period, including a hedgehog-shaped lamp and offerings from the
Sanctuary of Athena (4th–5th century BCE).
Ship Models: A replica of
the Yassiada vessel (16 x 5 meters, 35-ton capacity) showcases ancient
maritime technology.
Two Full Shipwrecks: Displayed to give visitors
a sense of ancient seafaring life.
The museum’s artifacts,
initially collected by Bodrum’s sponge divers and later by professional
archaeologists, include pottery, gold jewelry, and ship equipment
spanning 32 centuries (16th century BCE to 16th century CE). The German
and English Towers house the majority of exhibits, with the English
Tower featuring a life-size mannequin in knight regalia.
Bodrum Castle is a cultural bridge between ancient, medieval, and
modern eras. Its use of Mausoleum stones ties it to Halicarnassus’s
ancient heritage, while its Crusader architecture reflects 15th-century
European military and moral ideals. The Ottoman modifications, including
the mosque and hamam, add an Islamic layer to its identity. The castle’s
garden showcases Mediterranean flora, and peacocks roam the grounds,
enhancing its charm.
The castle’s strategic location offers
panoramic views of Bodrum’s bays, marina, and the Aegean Sea, making it
a focal point for visitors. Its proximity to the Mausoleum of
Halicarnassus, the Hellenistic Myndos Gate, and the ancient theater
enriches the historical context of the area. The castle also hosts
Turkish cultural festivals, reinforcing its role as a living cultural
hub.
Environmentally, the castle’s seaside location supports
marine biodiversity, with nearby waters known for snorkeling and diving.
Its prominence on Bodrum’s skyline, especially when illuminated at
night, makes it a postcard-worthy landmark.
Access and Logistics: Located in central Bodrum next to the marina,
the castle is easily accessible on foot from Mufti Yakup Ones Street or
a 10-minute walk from the dolmuş station on Cevat Şakir Street. Paid
parking garages are available for drivers, and cabs can drop visitors at
the entrance. The castle is a 10-minute walk (700 meters) from Bodrum’s
bus terminal.
Opening Hours and Fees: As of October 2024, the
castle is open daily from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM (April–October) or 4:30 PM
(November–March), with the ticket office closing 30 minutes earlier. The
entrance fee is approximately €23 (840 TL), including access to the
castle, audio guide, and museum. The Aegean MuseumPass grants free
entry. The museum is closed on Mondays, but the castle grounds remain
open. Prices may vary due to inflation, so checking with the ticket
office is advised.
Experience: Visitors can explore the castle’s
towers, ramparts, and winding paths, which offer stunning views of
Bodrum and the Aegean. The museum’s 14 exhibit halls provide a deep dive
into underwater archaeology, with air-conditioned rooms offering relief
in summer. Highlights include climbing the towers (notably the English
and French), viewing the coats of arms, and exploring the Carian
Princess exhibit. The castle’s layout is well-marked with informational
signs, and a guide map is provided. A café, gift shop, and restrooms are
available near the exit.
Tips: Wear comfortable shoes for steep
steps and uneven surfaces; the castle is not wheelchair- or
stroller-friendly. Sun protection is essential due to limited shade.
Plan for 2–3 hours to fully explore, ideally visiting early or late to
avoid crowds and heat. Bring ID or a passport for entry. Combining the
visit with nearby sites like the Mausoleum or Myndos Gate enhances the
experience.
Controversies: Restoration efforts between 2017 and
2020 have sparked debate, with some archaeologists arguing that modern
repairs diminished the castle’s ancient charm. Visitors should be aware
that ongoing conservation may affect certain areas.