Bodrum, Turkey

The stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, were repurposed by the Knights Hospitaller to construct the impressive Bodrum Castle (Castle of St. Peter) in the 15th century.

Bodrum was once Halicarnassus, home to the Mausoleum built for Mausolus, a satrap in the Achaemenid Empire. This magnificent tomb was so famous it gave us the English word 'mausoleum'.

Bodrum is a world-renowned hub for traditional wooden yacht building, particularly the 'gulet'. These handcrafted vessels are famous for their unique design and are central to Turkey's iconic 'Blue Voyage' cruises.

Despite its popularity, Bodrum has strict building regulations, limiting structures to two stories and mandating whitewashed facades with bougainvillea, preserving its iconic Aegean aesthetic.

The 'Bodrum Sandals' are a handcrafted leather sandal tradition dating back decades, favored by celebrities like Mick Jagger and Audrey Hepburn, and still made by local artisans today.

Bodrum Castle (Castle of St. Peter) houses the world-class Museum of Underwater Archaeology, displaying ancient shipwrecks and artifacts recovered from the Aegean Sea, including fragments from the Uluburun shipwreck.

Bodrum became a major intellectual and artistic haven in the mid-20th century, particularly due to Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, known as 'The Fisherman of Halicarnassus,' who popularized its bohemian charm and ancient history.

Bodrum has an unofficial 'cat culture,' with countless well-cared-for stray cats adorning its streets, often fed and looked after by locals and businesses, adding to its charming ambiance.