All about Bodrum

Here's some information on Bodrum:

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Bodrum is a charming and fascinating little port 270 km south of Izmir on the Aegean coast of Turkey. The inhabitants of Bodrum are around 30.000 and earn their living by fishing, boat-building, agriculture, weaving and tourism, which has become the most important industry in the last few years.
In recent times Bodrum has become not only a tourist centre but also a visiting place for famous Turkish and foreign artists and also an art centre, which is a source of inspiration.
The heart of the town is around the harbor, where shops, bars and restaurants jostle together in the narrow streets under the shadow of the St. Peter Castle . The main artery is Cumhurriyet Caddesi (Republic Street), much better known as bar street.
This street is a pedestrianized showcase of what the town has to offer. Skilled artisans can make you a pair of snugly fitting leather sandals in the traditional Aegean style, while small boutiques offer stylish creations inspired by local designs and fabrics. Mainstream Turkish Fashions (Gallery Emelce) are well represented to, with clothes designed for hot summer living. The souvenir shops sell attractive onyx, copper and brassware, along with toy camels, and gold harem slippers. Cafes and restaurants offer a cosmopolitan choice and after sundown, Bodrum lights up with flashing neon and laser shows to pulsating throb of the latest dance music. It's party time all over the town.

History

The history of Bodrum goes back to the 13th century BC. Excavates reveal the 5000 year old history of this town. Many civilisations found their home here including the Carians. Homer tells in his Ilia, that the Carians helped to defend Troy against the Greeks.

Heredotus, known as the father of history, was born in Bodrum in 484 BC and he said that Bodrum had been founded by the Dorians. The next settlers were Carians and Lelegians and in the 6th century BC the region came under Persian rule. Its most brilliant period was around 353 BC when it was the capital of the Satrap of Caria (In this century it was famous for its trade, sailing and boatbuilding.) Artemisia who was a warrior-woman played a significant role in the protection of the Asian Union and she achieved fame by adopting a stance against Rhodes as the Admiral of the Carian fleet in 480 BC.

The most prominent feature of Bodrum is the castle of St. Peter. The castle's origins date back to the knights of St. John. This group of expatriates began in the 11th century with a church and hospital in Jerusalem. When the knights arrived they instructed their builders to remove all usable materials from the tomb of King Mausolos as the castle construction began in the 1400's. The knights refered to the town as messy not knowing that they were in the ancient Halicarnassus. The fortress became known as the Castle of St. Peter the Liberator. It served as the sole place of refugee for all Christians on the West Coast of Asia during the time of the crusades. For over a century the castle served as a stronghold in the knights community. Under Turkish care the castle has undergone several uses including being a military base, a prison and a public bath.