A mighty fortress, built on a high hill during the reign of the local Menteşe dynasty, towers over the town of Beçin, located near Milas. Despite the proximity of the Aegean coast and the extremely popular seaside resort of Bodrum, few people visit Beçin itself to undertake the climb to the castle. However, if you are passing through this area, it may be worth stopping there for a moment, if only to admire the vast panorama stretching from the defensive walls.
Amasra, next to Amasya, is one of the most beautiful Turkish towns located in the Black Sea region of the country. Founded on a peninsula jutting into the sea, it seems to be an ideal place for holiday rest for the inhabitants of Istanbul. However, the relatively difficult access to the city effectively discourages larger crowds of holidaymakers, which only adds to Amasra's charm. People who decide to visit Amasra often combine their stay with a visit to the not too distant Safranbolu.
September 2024 brought a real avalanche of archaeological discoveries from the area of Türkiye. In this summary, let us focus on the finds announced for the eastern and southeastern parts of the country, frequently overlooked over the much more popular Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Firstly, a massive floor mosaic of 84 square meters, which is thought to belong to the Late Roman or Early Byzantine period, was discovered in the Salkaya village of Elazığ, located in the Eastern Anatolia. Then, the traces of a settlement dating back about 6,000 years were found during excavations at Değirmenler Mound in the eastern province of Erzurum. Next, three bronze shields and a bronze helmet dedicated to Haldi, the chief god of the Urartians, were discovered during excavations at the Ayanis Castle in Van province. What's more, following restoration efforts, 3,000-year-old underground cave dwellings in the country’s eastern province of Mardin’s Midyat have been transformed into a captivating tourist attraction. Finally, archaeological excavations in Sefertepe, located in Türkiye’s Sanliurfa, have uncovered two significant decorative items – one depicting a leopard and the other featuring a vulture and a human figure.
The Myndos Gate (tr. Myndos Kapısı) is the only significant remnant of the magnificent defensive walls that protected the Carian city of Halicarnassus from invasion. Unlike the famous St. Peter's Castle, this monument located in Bodrum is rarely visited by tourists, so there is a high probability that you will have the place to yourself during your visit.
Euromos ruins, located just off the Söke-Milas road, are frequently overlooked by travellers who do not realize that an olive grove hides one of the best preserved ancient temples in Asia Minor. Meanwhile, if you just turn off the road as indicated by a signpost, you will see a magnificent view of the ancient temple of Zeus. More inquisitive tourists can also find the remains of an ancient theatre, city walls, and an agora.
