There is a high, narrow peninsula dividing Bodrum town from neighbouring Gümbet. Its crest, crowned by a line of windmills, has long been a favoured dog walking, flower picking and romantic liaison spot for Bodrumites. It has an unrivalled view of the castle on one side and of the rapidly proliferating hotels and holiday flats on the other. About 25 years ago there was a big fuss when a hotel (Club M) was built facing the Greek island of Kos on the end of the peninsula and now there is another fight brewing as a local family has started to build on land facing the castle. Much has been written about the change in the degree of planning protection which has allowed this construction to go ahead and I won't add to this, but while everyone else is worrying about losing the view of the windmills to new construction, I'm hoping that someone will step in to restore the dignity of these "giants", all but one of which are crumbling, covered in graffiti and surrounded by broken glass.
 |
| Gümbet Panoramic view from the first windmill Bodrum |
In 2012, there was talk of a municipality restoration project which involved cafes and walkways, but no mention since. One owner of two of the windmills has had his redevelopment plan rejected and I wonder how long these basic structures will remain upright. Maybe this controversial development of expensive, single storey stone villas will have a silver lining and those buying into the "Bodrum dream house concept " will feel obligated to have the rubble-strewn, windmill-topped land behind their luxury homes cleaned up for another generation to enjoy.
 |
| The rear windmill has been saved from destruction |
 |
| Club M to the left of the picture and the proposed houses in the middle. |
Posts
. . a few years ago I met with a chap who had done a brilliant restoration of a windmill near Datça. The sails worked although the internal mechanism was missing. He incorporated the mill into a sympathetic house design that is a delight to the eye. Then came the hassle from the council and angry owners of derelict mills who were hoping to get permission to clear the site and build in concrete. He's still there but much disillusioned.
ReplyDeleteI can understand the frustration of land owners who have prime land worth millions but can't build on it, but the owners here have plenty of other resources and a simple restoration (without the accompanying "touristic development) would be well within their pockets.
DeleteIt's a pity that an obligation to restore the windmills was not made as part of the planning agreement.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the owners are not the same.
DeleteB to B, Your post prompted me to think back on our trip to Chora in Patmos, Greece where the restored windmills are breathtakingly beautiful and are a major tourist attraction of the town. I think a lot of the work was done with grants from UNESCO and Europanostra. Anyway, here's hoping the Bodrum windmills will get a new lease on life.
ReplyDeleteI have seen pictures of the Chora windmills wrongly assigned to the Bodrum peninsula.
DeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteWe really do find the disregard for buildings such as these windmills to be quite beyond our understanding. But we fear it is all too familiar a story. And what a wonderful situation they occupy.
No fun to walk there any more as there is too much broken glass.
DeleteThe image of the ruined windmills surrounded by so much rubbish is very sad, especially given their dominant position and the wonderful view from them. I do hope siomething can be done to rescue and restore them before it's too late.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, I saw a poster of one of the candidates for mayor standing in front of the windmills with a plan in his hand - we will see what happens after the March elections
DeleteDear Annie, in the United States, conservationists began to "conserve" only when several truly magnificent homes, bridges, churches, etc. were demolished. Then groups began to form and historical sites and buildings began to be saved. I watched that happen in Stillwater, Minnesota where I lives for 38 years (until 2009). The demolition of a historical building right off Main Street caught many unawares. A group formed and things changes in the oldest town in Minnesota. A town that was where most of the lumberjacks lived in the 1860 through the early 1900s. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI suppose these windmills are very new compared with our Greek and Roman remains, but still worth saving.
DeleteThey do deserve to be restored, love how the buildings so lovingly looked after & restorated in England, do hope to see a bit of it at home too - love your photos, such a gorgeous view
ReplyDeleteGosh, I have got behind with blog reading (and not just yours...) but I do hope those windmills can be saved. There are many here along the coast line of Almeria and where they've been restored, they are such a pleasure to see. They look rather romatic and 'muddly' (yes, I'm working backwards!) as they are but there's only one way they'll end up if they're left.
ReplyDeleteAxxx
Any recent development associated with restroration of these windmills?
ReplyDeleteNone so far. I'll post here if I hear any good news.
Delete