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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The only other visitors at Myndos Gate besides me

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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

More Information about Bodrum