"In other places, you lie in light (rest in peace); here, you live in light." - The Fisherman of Halicarnassus

Bodrum is Much More Than You Think: 5 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn't Know

When Bodrum is mentioned, the first things that come to mind are narrow streets decorated with white houses, gulets swaying in the deep blue waters of the Aegean, and lively summer evenings. This postcard-perfect image is undoubtedly part of Bodrum's soul. However, behind this popular showcase lies a layered history bearing traces of civilizations thousands of years old and stories that surprise those who hear them. Perhaps this is why Bodrum's greatest admirer, the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, emphasized the sanctity of life in these lands at every opportunity.

1. Its Name Was Not Originally 'Bodrum': The Legacy of Saint Peter

The name "Bodrum" we know and love today is the final form it took during the city's thousands of years of historical journey. In ancient times, these lands, one of the most important port cities of the Caria Region, were known as 'Halicarnassus'.

The origin of its current name dates back to the 15th century. The Knights of Rhodes, who came to the region, dedicated the magnificent castle they built to Saint Peter. The city began to be known as 'Petrium', named after the castle; this name eventually evolved into 'Potrum' in the local dialect and finally into today's 'Bodrum'.

2. One of the Seven Wonders of the World Lives in the Walls of Bodrum Castle

Bodrum has hosted one of the most magnificent structures in history: the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This tomb built for King Mausolus had a surprising fate after it was destroyed by earthquakes.

In the 15th century, when the Knights of Rhodes were building Bodrum Castle, they used the polished marble blocks of the mausoleum as "spolia" (recycled material). Today, while touching the walls of the castle, you might actually be touching pieces of a world wonder.

"While walking among the imposing walls of the castle, you might be touching priceless pieces of a thousands-year-old world wonder without even realizing it."

3. The Father of History and the First Female Admiral Lived in These Lands

Bodrum was a cradle of intellectual geniuses in ancient times. The famous historian Herodotus, known as the "Father of History," was a native of Halicarnassus. At the same time, Artemisia I, the first female admiral in history who commanded the Persian fleet with strategic intelligence, also lived in these lands.

4. 'Blue Voyage' is a Philosophy, Not Just a Boat Trip

The concept of "Blue Voyage," which is identified with Bodrum today, is perceived by many as just a bay tour with luxury boats. However, this movement was started as an intellectual discovery by the writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı (The Fisherman of Halicarnassus) and his friend Azra Erhat. These journeys, aiming to see nature, history, and human as a whole, are a deep philosophical quest that laid the foundations of Bodrum's world-famous yacht tourism.

"The land of eternal blues..."

5. It Has Seen Snow Only Once in Half a Century

Bodrum's climate has a unique "micro-climate" due to its geographical location. According to records, since 1970, it has snowed in Bodrum only once, in February 2004. The weather, which stays away from humidity in summer and remains mild in winter, is the greatest gift of this unique geography.