The castle walls incorporate marble blocks and relief sculptures salvaged from the ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
During the Ottoman period, the castle was used as a prison, and the chapel was converted into a mosque with the addition of a minaret.
The English Tower contains a unique set of stained glass windows and a fireplace featuring the crest of King Henry IV.
The museum houses the 'Carian Princess' exhibit, which displays the gold jewelry and funeral remains of an elite woman from the 4th century BC.
The castle grounds contain a lush garden designed to showcase plants native to the Aegean region.
The Knights Hospitaller utilized the castle as a secure point of retreat following the fall of Smyrna to Timur in 1402.
The museum collection includes glass artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age, retrieved from shipwrecks in the Mediterranean.
Some of the castle towers serve as dedicated galleries for specific types of artifacts, such as the Glass Hall.
The castle's fortification system was never successfully breached during the period of the Knights' occupation.
The site offers a clear view of the Greek island of Kos, which was historically connected to the knights' defense network.
Bodrum Castle, also known as the Castle of St. Peter, is a 15th-century fortification built by the Knights Hospitaller using stones from the nearby Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. It serves as the home of the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, one of the world's most significant institutions of its kind. The site features five distinct towers named after the nations of the knights who built them: English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Its layout occupies a rocky peninsula separating the eastern and western harbors of Bodrum. The museum displays the Uluburun Shipwreck, the oldest known shipwreck excavated by archaeologists. Additional collections include medieval weaponry, amphorae, and ancient coins recovered from the Aegean seabed. The site underwent extensive renovations between 2017 and 2020 to restore its historical structural integrity. It is currently fully operational as a state-managed cultural heritage site.
The top of the English Tower offers the most comprehensive panoramic view of the Bodrum harbor and the city skyline.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear as the historic stone paths and stairs can be uneven and steep.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little shade while walking along the exterior ramparts.
Allocate enough time to explore the gardens and the secondary exhibits in the individual towers, not just the main shipwreck hall.
Do not attempt to walk the uneven ramparts in flip-flops or high heels; avoid visiting during peak heat hours in July and August without adequate hydration.
Open year-round but may have reduced visiting hours during winter months; check for potential closures on the first day of national or religious holidays.
Modest clothing is recommended. Do not touch or climb on the loose archaeological remains scattered in the open-air displays.
