Myndos Gate Bodrum

Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey

Sightseeing at Myndos Gate

Bodrum’s primary sightseeing attraction is Bodrum Castle. It’s easy to see why. It has been lovingly renovated and is slap bang in the middle of the beach and harbour area. But the castle isn’t the only sightseeing opportunity in central Bodrum town. On my last trip to town I visited Bodrum’s Myndos gate, which doesn’t seem that impressive with a cursory glance, but once you know a little bit about it’s history, it’s easy to appreciate the significance of this area.

Here’s a collection of photos from my visit to Myndos Gate, as well as a brief history of what makes this site so noteworthy and worth a visit.

Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Myndos Gate Bodrum
Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Myndos Gate Bodrum

Myndos Gate History

The only surviving gate of the 7km long ancient wall that surrounded the city of Halikarnassos, was built by Kind Mausolus in the 4th Century BC. The tower’s original height is not known, but they were built out of andesite stone blocks.

Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Excavated scattered runs from the original city wall

Bodrum’s City Wall Moat

This moat was dug for defensive purposes in the 4th Century BC. It measured 56 metres long, 7 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep, and surrounds the southern tower from west to south. The moas defended the gate protecting the towers and walls against attack by catapults, chariots and battering rams. According to historian Ariannos, during the siege of Halikarnassos laid by Alexander the Great in 334 BC

collapse of a narrow bridge over the moat resulted in many casualties in addition to the ones fell into the moat or were trampled, many died in front of the gate.

Alexander the Great had first tried to capture Gumusluk, but was fought off by the townspeople, so headed over to Bodrum to try his hand at capturing this city instead. It was a bloody battle but he eventually succeeded.

Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
The old city wall Moat of Myndos Gate Bodrum

His first assault was upon the Mylasa gate which no longer exits. A few days later Alexander, attacked the Myndus gate but was initially unsuccessful. He then constructed a wooden bridge over the moat and attacked again, and after a heavy death toll on both sides, Alexander the Great was successful in capturing the city.

Ancient map of Bodrum fka Halikarnassos Turkey
Ancient Bodrum City will with the three gates

Bodrum’s ancient city wall had three gates. Myndos Gate to the west, Mylasa Gate to the east and Triplyon Gate to the north.

For more history about Bodrum, there’s a good summary available on the Instanbul University Website

Twin Graves at Myndos Gate

Two back to back vaulted graves were excavated. One is two-story and the other is single story.

Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Tombs at Myndos Gate
Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Parts of the old Bodrum City wall at Myndos Gate

There’s a stone walkway at the back of one of the Myndos towers tha you can walk up to get a view from the top of the tower.

Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Walkway stone steps leading up to the top of Myndos Tower
Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Myndos Gate Bodrum
Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
View from the top of Myndos Gate Bodrum
Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
View from the top of Myndos Gate Bodrum

Bodrum’s City Wall

The renovation efforts were sponsored by Ericsson and Turkcell, and focused on restoring the Myndos Gate and part of the city wall that surrounded the entire ancient city of ancient Bodrum, when it was still called Halikarnassos.

Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Old City Wall of Bodrum at Myndos Gate
Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
View from the top of Myndos Gate overlooking Bodrum
Myndos Gate Bodrum Turkey
Walking around Myndos gate historical site Bodrum

The only other visitors at Myndos Gate besides me

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This Bodrum sight is included in my Bodrum Itinerary: Into the Past article

More Information about Bodrum

Overview- Bodrum logo copy All- Bodrum logo copy Turkey VideoGallery- Bodrum logo copy PhotoGallery- Bodrum logo copy Turkey

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