Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology

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MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGY - BODRUM

THE GLASS SHIPWRECK
Known in underwater archeology as 'the Glass Shipwreck', it was discovered in 1973 by a sponge-diver named Mehmet Askin from Bozburunlu and excavated by a team of Turkish and American archeologists in 1977-1979.
After undergoing conservation in the Museum laboratory, the wooden artifacts that emerged from the excavation were assembled by the Ministry of Culture in a special hall in 1984.
The three tons of broken glass found on the ship constitute the largest collection of Islamic glass up to the 11th century A.D. In the Hall of Glass, formerly the castle's chapel, the individually illuminated works are exhibited in a dimly lit environment.
An aquarium situated in one of the hall's niches shows how underwater archeological excavations are carried out.A miniature exhibit (scaled down to 1/20 of life-size) vividly depicts the underwater excavation of a 4th century A.D. Byzantine shipwreck.

THE CASTLE TOWERS
The Spanish Tower is also known as the Snake Tower after a relief carving on its side. The upper level of the tower, which was used by the knights as an infirmary, contains artifacts symbolizing plenty, fertility, sickness and health.
In the German Tower you may observe the way of life of the medieval knights. Going east from here, the mass graves of the galley slaves are exhibited in the small salon on the right.
In an excavation carried out in front of the English Tower in 1993, a 16th century garbage tip of the Knights of St. John was found containing skeletons of 14 galley slaves with shackles on their feet.
A portion of this mass grave is on display here. Following the path north, you will reach the moat that surrounded the thick walls of the citadel with its towers known as Gatineau and Caretto.

The Gatineau Tower, its cannon embrasures and ventilation holes blocked, was used as a torture chamber between 1513 and 1522. A Latin inscription, "In de deus Abest" (Where God is not found), appears over the inner portal.
The Italian and French towers are in the castle's loftiest section. The Axe Tower, situated at the end of a cross-vault in the lower level of these towers, is the Hall of the Carian Princess, a member of the dynasty of Hecatomnus of Mylasa, who ruled the region 2400 years ago. The princess, who was identified as a candidate to be queen after reconstruction of her skull in the Department of Art in Medicine at the University of Manchester, is displayed in a salon reminiscent of a great feast hall.

AN EXHIBITION ADDRESSING THE FIVE SENSES
The English Tower, located at the castle's southeast corner, is known locally as the Lion Tower. Built by the English in 1415, it was restored in 1980.
In an exhibition that appeals to all five senses, this tower, the most monumental structure ever built by the English outside of Britain, takes visitors on a journey back 500 years in time meeting lords and ladies and sip wine in a candle-lit hall permeated with the scent of burning incense.
You may see in this tower not only the arms and banners of the knights who commanded the fortress and the standard presented by the Seljuks to the Ottomans.
There is also a green flag with three crescents flown by the Ottoman Turks on their fleet in the 16th century and the various flags used during the intervening 300-year period until the Turkish flag received its present form. A rectangular stone structure located in front of the English Tower is the Hall of Late Bronze Age Shipwrecks, where the 12th century B.C. Cape of Gelidonya shipwreck, the 16th century B.C.
Seytan Deresi shipwreck, and the Uluburun shipwreck, the richest ship of the Bronze Age, are displayed, the latter representing a collection of extraordinary value for archeologists. The large variety of finds is evidence of a far-flung international trade during this period.

THE COMMANDER'S TOWER
The story of the restoration of the Commander's Tower began with the donation to the Bodrum Museum Directorate in 1966 of the personal effects of Lieutenant Ibrahim Nezihi Bey, who had defended Bodrum against the bombardment, by his daughter Neriman Ata.
The Commander's Tower, which is situated at the southwest corner of the fortress' was thus opened to visitors as the Chamber of the Tower Commander. Upon entering the room, you will find Lieutenant Ibrahim Nezihi seated at his desk working. You may read the letter he wrote to his wife Hatice Hanim as you sip a cup of Turkish coffee.
And in the pre-World War I map hanging on the wall you may see the lands ruled by the Ottoman Empire, as well as weapons and medallions in glass cases, together with various personal belongings of Nezihi Bey, including a coffee cup decorated with a star and crescent presented to him as a gift by the Germans.
The castle continues to grow as a place of culture and a Museum of Underwater Archaeology in a resort area through exciting and unique exhibitions that are mounted here almost every year.

OPENING HOURS : 09:00 am 12:00 am and 02:00 pm and 07:00 pm | Closed on Mondays
SOURCE : SKYLIFE / Text : T. OGUZ ALPOZEN | Photo : OGUZ HAMZA


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