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Waves of succeeding empires have ruled this ancient port city on the Aegean coast of southwestern Turkey over the past 3,000 years: Greeks, Persians, Romans, Byzantines and finally the Ottomans under Suleiman the Magnificent. But it was 15th-century crusader knights who left the most impressive legacy, the hulking bastion of Bodrum Castle, built on a rocky outcrop beside the yacht harbor from the rubble of the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Inside the castle grounds, the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology displays a trove of treasures and artifacts recovered from marine excavations and shipwrecks along the Turkish coast.
Birthplace of Herodotus (the "Father of History"), sight of the first mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and a great place to rig a tirhandil or gulette, two types of locally crafted boats, Halicarnassus (as it was known way back when) is still one happening place. In fact, some call modern day Bodrum the undisputed "hot spot" of the Aegean coast. Situated at the base of the Bodrum peninsula where the waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean mix in dramatic hues of blue, the city rises from its shoreline with sugar cube buildings ascending gracefully up the hillside, higher and higher to better and better views of the tidal activity below. Paint the scene in your mind, then add an equal measure of artists and tourists in search of experiences. As you can imagine, Bodrum is like a cocktail with quite a kick. Days can be lazed away sunning at spectacular beaches, swimming in the warm currents, or enjoying a "Blue Voyage" down the coast of the peninsula. Quaint boutiques tempt shoppers with leather goods, carpets, embroidery and other treasures. And small galleries eagerly promote the city's reputation as "the center of the Turkish art community." Of course, there are sights to see as well. Chief among them, the impressive castle left by the crusading Knights of Rhodes which stands guard on the rocky headland at the mouth of the harbor. It is both a symbol of the city and the sight of the Bodrum Underwater Archaeological Museum. At night, Bodrum really comes alive. Dining, dancing and casino gaming all add to the general air of fun and adventure which keeps the city howling and prowling long into the hours just before dawn.