The Ordinary versus the Extraordinary – A year of travelling with three children: 25 February 2015

Tim and I went for an early walk in the misty rain to the shore of the Aegean Sea. It was gently lapping at the rocks. The way from our apartment is mostly downhill and winds in and out of little side streets and white paved footpaths. Cats eager for a morning chat greeted us. There were also dogs lazing about, roosters crowing and hens scratching. The cafes were just opening up and men were drinking coffee or probably Turkish tea. We felt warm once we had walked up our hill.

It was a good school morning for the kids and I felt I had been helpful and patient - which isn't always the case! The Department of Distance Education of Victoria is quick with their feedback once we submit work but the submission process is arduous when we are trying to copy work and upload it in suitable small amounts. The work behind the scenes for the parent/supervisor is massive and requires dedication.

That's we were heading!!

Our excursion for today was to Bodrum Castle, also known as The Castle of St Peter. We overlook it from our apartment and were keen to get there. It is closed over lunch time so we decided to be there as close as possible to the 2PM opening. It cost 25 Lira for entry and was well worth it. We set out in beautiful weather which quite like Melbourne, changed quickly, we had more rain, and then sunshine again! Luckily, we are used to that!

Heading for the entrance of Bodrum Castle

Roman goddess

Another goddess.

Bare branches of winter

5th century Byzantine mosaics

Good view from the fortress.

Looking towards our apartment from the castle walls.

Impressive old stairs...how many have walked upon these?

Aegean Sea splashing at the foundations

Bodrum Castle was built in 15th Century by the Order of the Knights of St John and I never ceased to gasp in awe at seeing inscriptions chipped away in stone plaques displaying dates like 1452 or 1520!

St John's Chapel inscription - 1520!!!!!

It was a good site, right on the water's edge across from the Greek Island of Kos. Green volcanic stone, marble columns and reliefs from the nearby Mausoleum of Maussolos were used to fortify the castle. Construction workers were apparently guaranteed a place in Heaven by Papal Decree - just imagine their working conditions!

Tombstone - no inscription on these ancient ones.

The chapel was originally named after St John but in 1522 the sultan attacked the Order's headquarters in Rhodes, and the terms of surrender included the handing over Bodrum Castle. The Chapel was converted into a mosque and a minaret was added. The minaret was destroyed on 26 May 1915 by rounds fired by a French warship during World War 1 and was reconstructed in its original shape in 1997.

Minaret on Chapel - bombed in 1915 but reconstructed.

For over a century St. Peter's Castle remained the second most important castle of the Order. It served as a refuge for all Christians in Asia Minor.

Where there is a hidey hole...Tim and Luke have to explore it.

Another hidey hole!

Over the years the castle has been use for many purposes including as a military base and a prison and when Ataturk came into power in 1921, the Castle was empty for 40 years

Plaque from Mausoleum

Fortified!

There are 7 towers which were all a bit different. The English Tower had stained glass windows, armour, some lion heads and loads of interesting "graffiti" to display.

Stained glass in English Tower

English Tower

"Graffiti"

Coats of Arms - I wondered if they brought with them their own stone masons.

Chain mail armour

One of two taxidermed Lion heads!

1492!!!!!

Since 1962, it has housed a Museum of Underwater Archaeology which was excellent with details and artifacts from the many ship wrecks this coast has seen over the centuries dating back to 14th Century BC. Ingots of tin and copper, amphoras, and glass ware as well as coins and gold have been dragged from the bottom of the Aegean Sea and are now displayed.

Amphoras

Cute young Roman

Annika and a rainbow

More views

Loving hardly any other people around!

Stairs from dungeon and torture chamber...gruesome!

Luke doing his "temple " pose

Yes, they had latrines in the castle...rather in the open though!

Overlooking the harbour

It was all very fascinating and for the kids, a completely different look at history from the temples of Thailand and Cambodia and the Forts and palaces of India to this castle all built at similar times in history with completely different architecture and purposes.

The style of ramparts changed as we wandered about.

Narrow pathway where the reinforcements have been added over the centuries

From a theatre...

We walked by the harbour and checked out the fresh fish again but we did wonder how fresh fresh was and ended up buying frozen calamari from the supermarket instead! I was keen to try the fresh sardines, but no one else was! We did buy some honey balls sprinkled with cinnamon on the way home which were, as predicted, sweet and delicious!