A Brief History of Gümüslük

Gümüslük

Gümüslük (Goo-moosh-look), is on the opposite side of the Bodrum Peninsula, and with its westerly aspect, Gümüslük provides some spectacular sunsets and a great array of fish restaurants. It derives it’s name from the Turkish word for Silver – Gümüs.

In the 2nd Century BC, the Pelasgs and the Lelegs, came over to Myndos, got rid of the current inhabitants, and settled there themselves. According to Strabon (aka Strabo) an ancient Greek geographer, Myndos became one of the eight Carian cities built by the Lelegs. The other seven Lelegian cities were Termera, Side, Madnasa, Pedasa, Uranium, Telmessos and Theangela/Syangela.

In the 4th Century BC, Maussolos, the satrap (leader/governer) of Caria, forced the people of most of these cities to leave, and settle in Halikarnassos (Bodrum), but the people of Myndos were allowed to remain.

In the year 196 BC Myndos made an agreement with Rhodos against the Syrian king Antiokhos, became independent, and produced it’s own coins.

Later the city was managed by the Pergamon and later, in the year 133 BC, after the death of Attalos III., passed to Rome , by the testament of Attalos III. It later became one of the cities of the Roman Empire in Asia Minor.

In the year 44 BC, after the death of Caesar, Cassius became a sovereign in Anatolia in the name of the Roman Empire and sheltered his navy in Myndos harbour.

The city was finally evacuated after a big earthquake, and traces of the earthquake can be seen both on the East harbour, whose architectural pieces sank into the water, and on the city walls, which are preserved as of today.

Gümüslük stands on the site of the ancient Carian city of Myndus (Myndos) – the barely submerged remains are still visible just below the water line, and you can use this underwater causeway to walk over to Rabbit Island.

If you go snorkeling in Gümüslük bay, the ancient remains provide an interesting water-break on your right.