Tuesday 30 January 2018

Bodrum Castle - Crystal Ball Gazing



"When is Bodrum Castle going to open again?" 

A frequently asked question to which I certainly can't give an answer and no one else seems to be able to hazard a guess either.   Renovation work is in progress.  Our familiar castle view is blighted with scaffolding and cranes. A two day symposium in December, attended by archaeologists, architects and interested locals, came to the conclusion that the intended new-build museum inside the castle walls would be too small for the number of exhibits and its construction would blight further excavation and research into the buildings which preceded the castle by 2,000 years or more. The overwhelming local opinion is that a new site should be found for the museum building while leaving the existing ancient wreck exhibits un-touched and that any repairs that need to be done should be completed as soon as possible so that the castle can open to the public.  
Will the closure affect visitor numbers to Bodrum?  I assume yes, but I forget that not everyone is as interested in history as I am.  Over supper with visitor friends in October, I commiserated with them that they wouldn't be able to see inside the castle. Their reply, "Don't worry, we probably wouldn't have gone anyway" left me momentarily speechless, but castles and museums aren't everyone's cup of tea and the sun will still be shining, the food will still be great and Bodrum will still draw its fans - open castle or not. 

The above photo is taken with a long exposure app on my phone - It is not a representation of what the castle looked like last year and hopefully is not a prophecy of what it will look like next year. 

15 comments:

  1. Well that shows how on the ball we are. Never even knew it was closed. Hope they make a decision on it soon. Weird isn't it with history and museums. Gonna publish our article about our Hierapolis visit, tomorrow. We mention that, bar one or two others, we were the only people there! Mind boggling...for us. ;) We loved Bodtum Castle. Hope it's soon open again.

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    1. At the mo it is set to be shut for a couple of years

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  2. Recep and I have spent many a happy time visiting the castle ... we hope it opens again as soon as possible ... it is the heart of Bodrum. x

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  3. Have seen some incredibly sensitive excavations/restorations in our years here but they are in the minority - here's hoping your castle has a positive outcome.

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    1. I learnt from the conference that the castle has been constantly restored since 1972 so this complete overhaul was a surprise to every one.

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  4. It's so iconic and dominant, it defines Bodrum like Big Ben defines London. That's covered in scaffolding too!

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    1. The Acropolis isn't shut when it is covered with scaffolding

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  5. B to B, Thanks for the update - they keep us aware. We will also now hope against all hope that all turns out well.

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    1. You know how likely local opinion will sway the outcome .

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  6. Dear Annie, I can see building the new museum on another site. What I'm wondering is will the archaeologists somehow go beneath the old castle to see what was there before the castle???? Peace.

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    1. Hi Dee, the palace of Mausolus and a temple to Apollo sit under the castle,and there is much to explore

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  7. Dear Annie, thanks for the info. It must be so exciting to be an archaeologist and to discover the hints of life left behind. Peace.

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