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Bodrum Maritime Museum

The Bodrum Maritime Museum is located in the historical bedesten on İnci Street. There are 47 ship models on display, made by yacht master 68-year old Ali Kemal Denizaslanı. The number of models will increase to 85 within a short time.

The museum also displays works owned by Cevat Şakir Kabağaçlı, known as the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, dresses worn by sponge fishermen in Bodrum, old anchors, fishing tools and the Sea Shells Collection donated by businessman Hasan Güleşçi.

Museum to draw more tourists

BODRUM, Muğla – Copyright: Doğan News Agency | 10/16/2011 12:00:00 AM |

The Aegean province of Muğla’s popular holiday town Bodrum is now home to the Sea Museum. The museum exhibits the exact models of boats that have served as fishing boats, trawlers and spongers through time.

Depicting a rich maritime history through a wealth of artifacts, the newly opened Bodrum Sea Museum is expected to attract more cultural tourists to the southwestern resort town better known for its sun and sand, the district’s mayor has said.

“We are working to expand tourism through 12 months. The Sea Museum has opened to serve this purpose,” Bodrum Mayor Mehmet Kocadon said at an opening ceremony for the museum on Oct. 15, adding that Bodrum had finally begun to display its history with the opening of the facility.

Located in the historical bedesten in the Cevat Şakir neighborhood on İnci Street, the museum features the exact models of fishing, sponge-gathering, transportation and

travel boats created by 68-year-old yacht master Ali Kemal Denizaslanı, along with works owned by the legendary Fisherman of Halicarnassus, Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, dresses worn by sponge fishermen in Bodrum, old anchors, fishing tools and a sea shells collection donated by businessman Hasan Güleşçi. The collection is expected to be ready for display soon.

History of Bodrum

The museum also has slide shows, photographs and informative signboards featuring the history of the maritime industry in Bodrum.

The museum had been in the planning stages for year, Kocadon said, but added that the project could not be realized.

Speaking about further projects, the mayor said: “We also want to open other museums and contribute to winter tourism. Among the other museum projects is an ethnography museum.

Also, we have a sponge museum project in the region of an old church. We will pave the way for winter tourism and contribute to Bodrum’s economy. I am also very excited to give life to Bodrum culture.”

Kabaağaçlı’s daughter, İsmet Kabaağaçlı Noonan, also attended the ceremony.

‘Each boat has a story’

Bodrum Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Chairman Mahmut Serdar Kocadon said each boat used in Bodrum had a different story.

“They are real boats that have served as fishing boats, trawlers or sponge-gatherers,” he said. “The foundations of Bodrum schooners in the harbor have been laid thanks to these boats. I believe that the museum will become a significant cultural center in the province. We expect 200,000 visitors to the museum next year.”

The museum and a fair area in İskele Square were opened following a number of speeches. The materials used in the production of boats, decorative tools and water sports tools were promoted in 75 stands at the square.

After the events that will continue until tomorrow, the 23rd International Bodrum Yacht Festival will start on Oct. 19 2011. Some 120 yachts will participate in the festival competition, which is one of the biggest yacht events in the world.

This article is the copyright of  Doğan News Agency and first published in 2011.

Information Block for the Bodrum Maritime Museum

Website:  Bodrum Maritime Museum Website

Address:  Çarşı Mah. Eski Belediye Bedesten Binası, Bodrum

Entrance Fee: 2020 Pricing = 20TL

Opening Hours:  Mondays  CLOSED; Tue-Sun  10:00-18:00

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE MUSEUM

© All photo’s are from a PDF available to download for free on the Bodrum Maritime Website, and they own the copyright for these photos