The Crusades is a dirty word in the Middle East. It’s hardly surprising. All those unwashed and smelly chain-mailed warrior knights, bloodied sword in one hand, crucifix in the other, brutalising the civilised Muslim world for God, glory and gain (in that order). The perfidious Catholics even turned on the besieged Byzantines, sacking Constantinople and deposing the Emperor because he was a softer target than the Arabs and the wrong kind of Christian. The crusader legacy resonates today with the fault lines that still exist in the region.
This brings me neatly on to Bodrum’s very own Crusader heirloom – the Castle of St Peter. It is the jewel in the Town’s crown. Its sturdy silhouette dominates from every direction. Built by the Knights Hospitaller from 1402, the castle remained in Christian hands until they were unceremoniously booted out by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522. The magnanimous Sultan allowed the defeated knights to sail off to Crete – no hard feelings. What a gent. The castle last saw action when it was bombarded by a French warship during the Great War. Presumably, our Gallic allies did it for a laugh as the fortress had long lost its strategic importance. Several towers were badly damaged and the minaret of the mosque was toppled.
Today the reconstructed castle is a major tourist attraction and home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the biggest of its kind. The grounds also play host to the annual summer ballet and dance festival. It’s a sweaty affair during the height of summer. Rambling over the ramparts is an easy excursion and there are plenty of shady places in the well-tended gardens to catch your breath and watch the randy dandy peacocks strut their stuff. The exhibits are absorbing if you’re into old wrecks, chipped anfora and ancient glass. I can’t vouch for the exhibition devoted to the tomb of a Carian princess, who died between 360 and 325 BC. It’s always been closed when we’ve visited. Sauntering through the various towers is a fun way to spend a spare afternoon. The English Tower, in particular, looks like a set for Ivanhoe. Where’s Elizabeth Taylor when you need her?
If you’d like a potted history of the castle check out Wikipedia. Spot the (non) deliberate mistake relating to the mosque.
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Perking the Pansies 
. . I dunno; you bog off and then start writing nice posts about the place! Have to take you to task about ‘God, glory and gain (in that order) – it’s always about gain, God or gods are always just window dressing for the plebs and peons.
How’s Delia these days?
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Delia sends her love. Agree ’bout the God bit! I’ll be writing the odd Turkey post from time to time but hope to be a tad more controversial!
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Why does every archaeological site have at least one peacock?
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Interesting! Probably get a Govt grant 😉
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Nice topic, good photo’s and love the castle, though have not seen it in years but will sure to visit when I go by Bodrum way again. I did not know they ended up in Crete that was unexpectedly kind of Suleiman, not sure if he was renowned for that sort of thing. Well plenty of topics to write about here especially since Turkey is in a bit of a pickle over the Syria business when they shot down a plane, believe the poor pilots are still missing and would now unfortunately presume dead. America is using stronger language than the Turks but then they can I presume since they are rather a long way away from here.
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Let’s hope for everyone’s sake, the Syria crisis does not spill over into a wider conflict.
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Hey Jack, you posted this at just the right time. We’re heading there tomorrow! And how did you survive in this heat?!
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We survived by becoming vampires – not moving during the day and only going out after dark! 😉
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Hey Jack–I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award 🙂 In order for you to claim this prestigious honour, there are 10 questions waiting for you athttp://tahitiangoddess.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/1909/.
I know you’re very impressed. 😉
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That’s wonderful. I love awards. Now where do I start with my answers? Um…
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I love the castle. I did my haring around the battlements on my first visit but always drop in to the cafe for a beer or a Turkish coffee. Plenty of shade from those high walls. I’m not sure it is still the case but curiously it was one of the cheaper places for a drink and a snack in Bodrum, especially given the pleasant surrounds.
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Prices have risen in recent years but it’s reasonable value when compared to the rip off cafes that surround it!
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I’m so excited to be visiting Turkey again this year and I really hope to visit the castle. Just a quick walk past last time wasn’t enough!
Can you recommend anything else to do around the Bodrum area?
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There’s so much to do. I wouldn’t know where to start 🙂 I can recommend an excellent ebook published by a friend of mine called the Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guide which is packed to the rafters with inside information about the Bodrum area. Here’s the link http://www.jackscott.info/2/post/2013/06/quite-a-coup.html
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That’s great! Thank you!
I have a few ideas from last time I went but I just thought there may be some hidden gems I needed to know about 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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