Bodrum
ANTIQUE THEATRE
The hill, situated in the north of the ancient city of Halikarnassos, was used
as the necropolis, or cemetery. The theatre displays all the typical characteristics
of the three-sectioned theatres dating from before the Roman Empire.
1.Seating section: It is thought that
the theatre had a capacity of 12,000-
13,000 people, seated on a total of
55 rows, 30 in the lower and 25 in the
upper section. 2. Orchestra section:
The horseshoe-shaped seating area is
at the centre of the theatre. In front of
these rows is an altar which was built
for the god Dionysus, who first emerged
in Anatolia.
3. Stage (skene) section: On the walls
behind this section, it is still possible
to see the hollowed grooves where
various decorative panels were hung
as scenery, according to the play being
presented.
It height is given as 80 Ionic feet which is roughly 50 meters or about the
height of a 20-storey building. According to ancient sources, its architect
was Pytheos who also designed the Temple of Athena at Priene. Vitruvius says
that the most important sculptors of the 4th century B.C. worked on the monument.
Their names were Bryaxis, Timotheos,
Leochares and Scopes. Bryaxis was a
native of Caria and he carved the stat-
ues of Mausolus and Artemisia II that
rode in the chariot pulled by four horses
that was at the very top of the Mauso-
leum. The monumental tomb stood for
1,500 years before it was destroyed
in the earthquake of 8 August, 1304.
THE MYNDOS GATE
He managed to conquer the city despite meeting very b resistance, and
demolished everything in it except the Mausoleum.
There are vaulted tombs just beyond the gate. The first stage of restoration
of the ramparts and towers to the of the gate was completed in 1999.
THE BLUE CRUISE up to the village and rent a tractor in the square to take
you up to Sivri Kumes Hill, you will get a wonderful birds-eye view of the Gokova
Gulf. You will be captivated by the beauty of Akbuk Bay and the English Harbour
(an enchant- ing corner concealed among the hills and thus-named because a British
boat squadron used it as a base during ¦ World War II). You will not be able to
f get enough of swimming in the bays of Ballisu and L6ngoz, and after enjoying
a visit to Kiifre Bay and Uzun Liman, will be charmed by Cleopatra Island (with
its special white sand, said to have witnessed the great love between Cleopatra
and Mark Anthony). On the return voyage, you can wander among the Byzantine ruins
at Kissebuku, swim in the crystal clear waters of Orak Island and of Karaada (Black
Island) and Tav?anburnu (Rabbit Point), which are the final stops before returning
to port in Bodrum.
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