Bozukkale

Surrounded by large and small numerous bays, headlands and islands, Bozburun, hides heavens amongst little grassy hills. This land of the fjord is famous for its bays which laps to the Mediterranean Sea. After passing the Karaburun which is the southern tip of the peninsula, Bozukkale is the first bay between the remaining of Degirmenburnu and Kaleburun. The right to land is a wide gulf between the two capes which is surrounded by olive groves and scrub. The surrounding port is called bozukbuku (distorted bay) by the sailors. Bozukkale is one of the preferred sheltered stations against the winds by the cruise boats. Water is very clear in this beautiful bay and it has three restaurants that serve food. The Defensive walls surrounding the hills can be seen by boats, before entering to the bay. The castle walls are still standing supported by bastions. The ruin of Loryma is among surviving ancient cities. Behind the restaurants, another ruins of a castle rises on a hilltop on north of the bay behind restaurants. The city has never lost importance since ancient times because it is well protected with a strategic location. According to historians, the bay hosted navy of Athens in BC i1412. In BC 395, Bay was the rallying point for ships before the naval battle of Cnidus. Some maps called it Oplosike Buku a derived from the Greek word “Hoploteke” which means shipyard. Once the ships were being made and repaired. There are Serçe (Sparrow) and Korsan (Pirate) bays immediately next to, Bozukkale. Serce Bay looks like a deep canyon inserted into the land. It is famous for crystal blue sea and the shipwrecks of the Fatimid dynasty carrying glass to the famous the 11 century Byzantine workshops to be processed. Underwater excavations unearthed the historical value of them. Today they exhibited in the Bodrum Museum. Around 10 BC, Loryma was the center of Rhodes kingdom. There is no adequate information about the historic city. There are nine towers of the castle extending from the rectangular form of walls. The castle, tower and bastions are very well preserved and solid. The name Bozuk (which means disordered) might be given to this castle because one side is missing. The castle against the coast makes us think that it is the defense unit of Rhodes. Because Bozukkale Bay was called Oplosika Buku in some old British naval maps, it is understood that there was a shipyard in the past. Most of the yachts sailing on Aegean Sea use Bozukkale as a stop watching all the yachts in the Aegean. Athens used this harbor because of its geographical situation and shortness of Entrance to the port for Peloponnesian Wars. In 395 BC Athenian commander, Karori used this harbor for his ships before the Cnidus War. Inn 305 BC Antigonos's son Demetrios has chosen this harbor to gather and prepare his ships in this harbor also before attacking Rhodes.