Bodrum Castle

Bodrum Castle is a medieval fortress on the waterfront of Bodrum in southwestern Turkey, originally built by the Knights Hospitaller during the 15th century. The castle formed a defensive complex controlling the harbour and seaways of the southwestern Aegean.

The structure comprises curtain walls, multiple towers and ramparts, with later alterations and repairs; several towers bear names reflecting Western European contributors. The fortress now houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology with collections from regional shipwrecks.

Construction began in the early 1400s under the Knights Hospitaller and continued over decades as the castle was expanded and reinforced; it played a strategic role in medieval maritime defence and later Ottoman control.

The castle stands at the tip of the Bodrum peninsula overlooking Bodrum harbour and the Aegean Sea, immediately adjacent to the modern town and marina.

• Knights' construction: Construction began under the Knights Hospitaller in the early 1400s; several towers are named after Western languages and regions, such as the English, French and Italian towers.
• Harbour position: The castle overlooks Bodrum harbour and marina, offering close access from the town and maritime approaches used historically and today.

What to See #

• Fortress and towers: The castle's curtain walls and towers were constructed by the Knights Hospitaller from the early 15th century and enclosed a harbour-side fortress complex.
• Underwater Archaeology Museum: Museum of Underwater Archaeology housed within the castle, exhibiting amphorae, shipwreck finds and seafaring artefacts recovered from the Aegean.