Bodrum Castle was built by the St. Jean Knights on the site of a Turkish Castle built by sailors of the Menteşe Principality in 1261-1269 on a peninsula which came into being in 1st century A.D. when an island known as Zephyra during the Stone Age joined the mainland. After the Ankara Battle in 1403, the St. Jean Knights asked Mehmet Çelebi for a site to built a castle as a recompense for their demolished castle in Izmir and Mehmet Çelebi gave permission to the St. Jean Knights to build a castle in Bodrum. The most important European nations started to build the castle 500 years ago in 1406 under the leadership of the St. Jean Knights. The construction continued intermittently until the end of 1522. There are French, British, German, Italian and Spanish towers in the Castle.

After Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent’s Rhodes campaign in 5 January 1523, Bodrum Castle was captured by the Ottomans. It began to be used as a prison in 1895 during Abdulhamit II’s reign. It was abandoned in 26 May 1915 after being bombarded by British and French battle ships. The Museum Directorship was established in 1963 and in 6 November 1964 the first exhibition hall was opened. The Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum is Turkey’s only Underwater Archaeology Museum and it is one of the world’s most important Underwater Archaeology Museums.

Bodrum Castle has a square-like plan. Its dimensions are 180×185m. Its highest point is 47.5 m above sea level. The castle is entered through the first door situated at its northwestern corner. There are 7 doors until the inner castle. The northern and western sides of the castle are double-walled. The northern and western ditches were passed through suspension bridges during the Knights’ time. The thick walled structure with a sloping roof at the west side of the castle is a cannon blockhouse. All the towers and various places in Bodrum Castle have been converted into exhibition halls.

Kahramanmaraş, which is a rich historical province, is surrounded by green forests. Attempts have been made to maintain the “heritage houses” in the city by restoring them. Handicrafts such as copper and brass smithery, wood carving and mother-of-pearl inlaying are much developed in the city. Moreover, the city is also famous for its gold and silver decorative items and jewelry. Maraş ice cream which is pounded in a large mortar is popular throughout Turkey.

İskenderun, which is the largest county of Antakya province, is an important industrial and commercial port. Turkey’s longest and widest coastal promenade is in İskenderun. There are various parks, cafes and restaurants along the promenade which is surrounded by palm trees. Uluçınar (Arsuz), which is 34 km. to the south of the city, is a holiday town known for its beaches. Soğukoluk, located to the southeast of İskenderun, is a high plateau, where the weather is cool even in the summer.

The East Mediterranean. Antakya, which is located in the east Mediterranean region, has great touristic value due to its historical assets and scenic wonders. The city, which was founded in 307 B.C. by Antigonus, one of the generals  of   Alexander  the  Great,  became  an  important

Cupid, Mosaic Museum – ANTAKYA

center of trade, science and religion in the Roman and Byzantine periods. This region played an important role in the spread of Christianity, and it was here that for the first time in history those who were followers of Christ were referred to as “Christians”. St. Peter’s Grotto Church, to the east of the city, is where the first Christians worshipped. Extraordinarily beautiful, world famous mosaics, which were collected from the environs of Antakya, are displayed at the Mosaic Museum. The Habib-Neccar Mosque, which was initially a church, was converted into a mosque by Sultan Baybars in the Seljuk era.

The Place where Nature and History Embrace. Mersin is one of the most modern cities in the Mediterranean region, possessing palm tree-lined coastal boulevards, attractive parks, beautiful hotels, commercial buildings and a free trade zone. Mersin also has a large commercial port. Tarsus, which was a large port during the Roman Empire, has been filled with alluvia deposited by  the

Alahan Monastery – MERSİN

Mamuriye Fort, Anamur - İÇEL

Seyhan River. Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen, and Anthony, the Roman Commander, met here. Furthermore, St. Paul was born in Tarsus in the 1^st century A.D. The Grand Mosque, St. Paul’s Well, the Cleopatra Gate and Tarsus Falls in Tarsus are very interesting. Ancient cities such as Pompeipolis (Viranşehir), Kanytelis (Kanlıdivane) and Korykos (Kız Kalesi) are located on the Mersin-Silifke coastal strip. Kız Kalesi, built on a small island not too far from the shore, has a beautiful appearance. To the northwest  of   Kız Kalesi   are   the  tectonic   caves    called Cennet (Heaven) and Cehennem (Hell), and the Narlıkuyu Cave, which has many stalactites and stalagmites.

The Great City of the Land of Cotton. Adana is the largest city in the Mediterranean Region. It was founded at the foot of the Taurus Mountains on the fertile lands of the Çukurova Plain, which is irrigated by the Seyhan and Ceyhan Rivers. Adana is famous for its cotton production. Cotton, rice, sesame and peanuts are the main crops grown in this province. The province, which is economically well-developed,   is  also  a  large  industrial  center.  The  agro-industrial  branches   are  especially  developed.  The  most important structure in the city is the Stone Bridge, constructed by Emperor Hadrian over the Seyhan River. Unique examples of Roman mosaics can be seen in the ancient cities of Misis and Anavarza. Yumurtalık and Karataş, which are located in the vicinity of Adana, are holiday towns known for their beaches.