• How It Works
    • FAQ
    • Terms of Service
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • English
    • English
    • Español
    • Português
Egypt Tours Plus
  • Egypt Tour Packages
    • Filter by Duration
      • 5 Day Tours
      • 7 Day Tours
      • 8 Day Tours
      • 10 Day Tours
      • 12 Day Tours
      • 14 Day Tours
      • 15 Day Tours
    • Egypt Only
      • All Egypt Tour Packages
      • Budget Tours
      • Classic Tours
      • Luxury Tours
      • Most Popular
      • Nile Cruise Holidays
    • Multi-Country
      • Egypt and Dubai Tours
      • Egypt and Greece Tours
      • Egypt and Jordan Tours
      • Egypt and Morocco Tours
      • Egypt and Kenya Tours
      • Egypt and Turkey Tours
  • Nile River Cruises
    • Filter by Duration
      • 4 Day Cruises
      • 5 Day Cruises
      • 6 Day Cruises
      • 7 Day Cruises
      • 8 Day Cruises
    • Filter by Route
      • From Aswan to Luxor
      • From Luxor to Aswan
      • From Cairo to Luxor / Aswan
    • Specials
      • Dahabiya Cruises
      • Lake Nasser Cruises
      • Luxury Nile Cruises
  • Explore
    • Attractions
      • Egypt’s Top 10
      • Cairo
      • Luxor
      • Aswan
      • Alexandria
      • Lake Nasser
      • Nile Valley
      • Sahara Desert
    • Blogs
      • Egypt Travel Blogs
        • Egypt Vacations
        • The Red Sea
        • Miscellaneous
      • Middle East Travel
        • Jordan Travel
        • Morocco Travel
    • Good to Know
      • Egypt Travel Info
      • Egypt from USA
      • Egypt from Australia
      • Egypt from Canada
      • Egypt from India
      • Egypt from Singapore
      • Egypt from UK
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum In Western Turkey

Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum is a truly fascinating museum, and the fact that it’s located in an ancient castle makes it that much more appealing. Visit this enthralling museum and many other fabulous attractions in comfort and style with one of our unforgettable Egypt and Turkey Tours.

Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum

Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, Bodrum, Turkey.

Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum in Turkey is located in the city of Bodrum, in an ancient castle known as Bodrum Castle. The museum only opened in 1962, but soon became the biggest museum of its kind, not only in Turkey, but in the entire world. Despite being a truly wonderful place to visit, the museum remains one of the lesser known tourist attractions in Turkey.

A Brief History Of Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum

Bodrum Castle was originally built in 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller who called it the Castle of St. Peter. Interestingly, some of the building materials, including a number of sculptural inscriptions were taken from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus which was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Knights Hospitallers were also known as the Knights of St. John or the Order of Hospitallers. Originally founded in 1023, the order later became a Christian military order and was given the responsibility of protecting the Holy Land.

The first main walls of Bodrum Castle were completed in 1437 but where later strengthened further when the threat of an Ottoman attack became imminent. The fortification efforts later proved to be very effective and the castle allowed the Knights to repel an Ottoman attack in 1453 when Constantinople got conquered.

The castle came under attack once more in 1480, but once again the Knights emerged victorious. As the years passed, further fortification was carried out to ensure the castle could survive cannon fire which was becoming increasingly more powerful. Once again, much of the materials used came from the nearby Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

In 1522 a castle which served as the headquarters of the Knights was conquered by a 200,000 strong Ottoman army. The Knights surrendered and subsequently handed Bodrum Castle over to the Ottoman Turks.

Bodrum Castle As It Stands Today

Before being turned into the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum in 1962, the castle was used for various purposes, including a prison, but was eventually left deserted and remained that way for 40 years. It was after this that the museum was opened.

Today Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum attracts many thousands of people who visit not only to see the many artifacts, but also to explore the castle itself. A huge amount of effort has gone into creating a museum that is so much more than just a collection of artifacts.

Generally speaking, Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum is essentially devoted to displaying items which have been recovered from sunken ships.

While you are not likely to see this museum featured in our current range of Egypt and Turkey Tours, we can add it to any one of our itineraries if you would like to visit the site during your stay in Turkey.

A Treasure Trove Of Ancient Treasure

Sculpted theatre masks in the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology - Photo by Georges Jansoone Collection of amphoras from different parts of the Mediterranean - Photo by Georges Jansoone

One of the most notable collections consists of various artifacts that were recovered during Turkey’s first underwater excavation in 1958, of a ship dating back to the 12th century BC.

Another notable collection at Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum includes a wide variety of goods recovered from a 14th century BC shipwreck which was excavated between 1982 and 1995. This excavation recovered a large collection of Egyptian seals, including the seal of Queen Nefertiti. It also included several tons of copper; tin and glass ingots.

The museum houses a vast Mycenaean Age display and an equally impressive Bronze Age display. One of the world’s biggest ancient glass collections is also on display in the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

There are also two reconstructed shipwrecks. The larger of the two is the Uluburun shipwreck which dates back to the 14th century BC, while the other one is the Fatimi shipwreck dating back to 1077 AD.

A Garden Fit For A King

Unlike many other museums, Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum is additionally accompanied by an amazing garden inside the castle grounds. In some ways, one could even call the garden a museum as well since it contains virtually every kind of plant; shrub and tree found in the Mediterranean region.

Explore The Historical Sites Of Egypt And Turkey

If you would like to visit Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum in Turkey, along with an almost endless number of other amazing historical sites in Turkey, please visit our Egypt and Turkey Tours. We offer an extensive range of quality package tours, as well as customized tours which can be tailored specifically for you.

 

Click Here To Tailor Your Dream Trip Now

 

Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi Tour

21 Day Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi Tour

May 4, 2019
Read more
Turkey, Greece, Egypt tour

19 Day Turkey, Greece, Egypt Tour

May 3, 2019
Read more
Turkey, Egypt, Jordan Tour

18 Day Turkey, Egypt, Jordan Tour

September 14, 2017
Read more
Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi Tour

16 Day Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi Tour

September 13, 2017
Read more
Egypt Turkey Tour Package

16 Day Egypt and Turkey Itinerary

April 6, 2015
Read more
Cairo Istanbul Tour Package

8 Day Cairo-Istanbul Tour

April 6, 2014
Read more
You might also like
Open-Air Museum At Goreme Goreme Open Air Museum – A Truly Fascinating Ancient Marvel
Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise In Istanbul – The Trip Of A Lifetime
The Covered Bazaar in Istanbul seen from a helicopter Covered Bazaar In Istanbul – Over 3,000 Shops Under One Roof
Galata Tower in Istanbul Turkey Galata Tower in Istanbul – The City’s Most Striking Landmark
Devrent Valley In Cappadocia Devrent Valley In Cappadocia – Never Inhabited And Never Spoiled
Pigeon Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey Pigeon Valley In Cappadocia – A Helping Hand From Mother Nature
Private Egypt Tours

Top 7 Egypt Tours

  • Cairo, Nile Cruise and Red Sea Stay 212 Day Cairo, Nile Cruise And Red Sea StayApril 5, 2017 - 6:27 pm
  • Luxury Nile Cruise and Cairo Tour10 Day Luxury Nile Cruise and Cairo ToursApril 13, 2015 - 7:07 pm
  • Egypt and Jordan Luxury Tours10 Day Egypt and Jordan Luxury ToursApril 12, 2015 - 9:41 am
  • Cairo, Abu Simbel and Nile Cruises8 Day Cairo to Abu Simbel Tour w/ Nile CruiseApril 4, 2015 - 6:41 pm
  • 8 Day Egypt Holiday Tour - Cairo and Nile River Cruise8 Day Egypt Holiday Tour – Cairo and Nile Cruise [By Train]April 12, 2014 - 6:30 pm
  • Budget Trip to Egypt - Cairo and Nile Cruise 28-Day Best of Egypt Tour – Cairo and Nile Cruise [By Air]April 6, 2014 - 12:48 am
  • Cairo Luxor Package5 Day Cairo to Luxor TourApril 5, 2014 - 6:30 am

Top 10 Combo Tours

  • Middle East Tour23 Day Luxury Middle East Tour of Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Dubai and Abu DhabiMay 5, 2019 - 6:15 am
  • Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi Tour21 Day Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi TourMay 4, 2019 - 7:43 am
  • Egypt Jordan Israel Itinerary15 Day Egypt, Jordan, Israel ItinerarySeptember 14, 2017 - 3:44 pm
  • Morocco And Egypt Vacations15 Day Morocco And Egypt Vacation w/ Nile CruiseSeptember 12, 2017 - 6:59 pm
  • Egypt and Jordan Package14 Day Egypt And Jordan Combined TourSeptember 12, 2017 - 5:44 pm
  • Egypt Jordan and Jerusalem Tours13 Day Egypt, Jordan and Israel ToursSeptember 12, 2017 - 5:43 pm
  • Egypt, Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tours14 Day Egypt, Dubai and Abu Dhabi TourAugust 30, 2017 - 7:02 am
  • Cairo, Abu Simbel, Nile Cruise and Jordan Tour11 Day Egypt and Jordan ItineraryJuly 23, 2017 - 8:18 am
  • Egypt and Jordan Luxury Tours10 Day Egypt and Jordan Luxury ToursApril 12, 2015 - 9:41 am
  • Cairo to Petra Tours7 Day Cairo to Petra TourApril 10, 2014 - 3:05 am

Private Guided Tours to Egypt & Beyond

Rewarded Travelers’ Choice in 2020, 2021, and 2022 by TripAdvisor we take pride in offering epic custom private guided tours at unbeatable value.

⇒ Your own private expert guide & vehicle
⇒ Your schedule, your budget, your tour
⇒ Explore the best of Egypt your way

Why Book With Us

✓ Experts in tailor-made travel
✓ Local staff with first-hand experience
✓ Save money, time, energy - and hassle
✓ Dedicated to personalized quality services

We don’t just sell amazing tours. We make dreams come true!

Local Travel Experts

With a dedicated team of local travel experts and stellar reputation among clients Egypt Tours Plus is the smart choice when planning your travel in Egypt and the Middle East.

→ Contact
→ About
→ Sitemap
© 2022 Egypt Tours Plus
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
Scroll to top