Bozzukkale, Ali Baba"s, and the Ruins of Loryma in Turkey
Bozukkale Harbor
Bozukkale is a very sheltered harbor on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey at the southern end of the Kara peninsula. I visited Bozukkale on a "Sailing Turkey" adventure on the Diamond Sea catamaran of G Adventures on a voyage between Fethiye and Bodrum.
The bay’s entrance is guarded by the remains of the ancient Loryma citadel which provides magnificent views from its setting on top of the hill overlooking the harbor.
This bay is sometimes called "Ali Baba's" after the seaside restaurant located at the end of the bay. It's a busy place since it's the only business in the area.
More on Bozukkale and Loryma
View of Bozukkale from Loryma Citadel
The climb from Ali Baba's Restaurant up to the Loryma Citadel is steep and rocky, but the views of the harbor and surrounding mountains make the climb worth the effort.
Page 3 >> Loryma Citadel at Bozukkale >>
Loryma Citadel at Bozukkale
The citadel at Loryma was established about 10th century BC. The citadel was surrounded by a wall that measures 120 meters long, 10 meters high, and 3 meters thick. This wall is the only part of the citadel that is well preserved. The dramatic wall featured 9 towers, but these are no longer present in the ruins. Most of the buildings inside the wall have been destroyed, but the site has not been excavated, so some structures or artifacts may be buried.
Loryma played an important role in defending the nearby island of Rhodes (now part of Greece). The Athenians used Loryma during the Peloponnesian wars because of its excellent location and narrow harbor entrance. Commander Karor assembled his fleet at Bozukkale in 395 BC before the war of Knidos. Antigono's son Demetrios also prepared for war with Rhodes in 305 BC at Bozukkale.
Inscriptions on the rocks show that the citadel was dedicated to Zeus Atabyrios, one of the gods of Rhodes, but no temple remains on the site.
Loryma is interesting to explore, and it's difficult to believe that these walls have stood for over 3000 years.
Page 4 >> Top of the Loryma Citadel at Bozukkale >>
Loryma sits at the top of a narrow peninsula with the sea on one side and the harbor on the other. Both views are breath-taking.
Page 5 >> Donkey at the Loryma Citadel >>
At one time, thousands of soldiers and sailors walked within the walls of the Loryma Citadel. Today, it's only tourists and donkeys. I never cease to be amazed by the huge number of Mediterranean archaeological sites of the ancient civilizations of Greece, Turkey, and Rome. Loryma has long been abandoned, but it has an eerie atmosphere. I wouldn't want to be up there alone after dark.
Bozukkale is a very sheltered harbor on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey at the southern end of the Kara peninsula. I visited Bozukkale on a "Sailing Turkey" adventure on the Diamond Sea catamaran of G Adventures on a voyage between Fethiye and Bodrum.
The bay’s entrance is guarded by the remains of the ancient Loryma citadel which provides magnificent views from its setting on top of the hill overlooking the harbor.
This bay is sometimes called "Ali Baba's" after the seaside restaurant located at the end of the bay. It's a busy place since it's the only business in the area.
More on Bozukkale and Loryma
- Page 2 >> View of Bozukkale from Loryma Citadel >>
- Page 3 >> Loryma Citadel at Bozukkale >>
- Page 4 >> Top of the Loryma Citadel at Bozukkale >>
- Page 5 >> Donkey at the Loryma Citadel >>
View of Bozukkale from Loryma Citadel
The climb from Ali Baba's Restaurant up to the Loryma Citadel is steep and rocky, but the views of the harbor and surrounding mountains make the climb worth the effort.
Page 3 >> Loryma Citadel at Bozukkale >>
Loryma Citadel at Bozukkale
The citadel at Loryma was established about 10th century BC. The citadel was surrounded by a wall that measures 120 meters long, 10 meters high, and 3 meters thick. This wall is the only part of the citadel that is well preserved. The dramatic wall featured 9 towers, but these are no longer present in the ruins. Most of the buildings inside the wall have been destroyed, but the site has not been excavated, so some structures or artifacts may be buried.
Loryma played an important role in defending the nearby island of Rhodes (now part of Greece). The Athenians used Loryma during the Peloponnesian wars because of its excellent location and narrow harbor entrance. Commander Karor assembled his fleet at Bozukkale in 395 BC before the war of Knidos. Antigono's son Demetrios also prepared for war with Rhodes in 305 BC at Bozukkale.
Inscriptions on the rocks show that the citadel was dedicated to Zeus Atabyrios, one of the gods of Rhodes, but no temple remains on the site.
Loryma is interesting to explore, and it's difficult to believe that these walls have stood for over 3000 years.
Page 4 >> Top of the Loryma Citadel at Bozukkale >>
Loryma sits at the top of a narrow peninsula with the sea on one side and the harbor on the other. Both views are breath-taking.
Page 5 >> Donkey at the Loryma Citadel >>
At one time, thousands of soldiers and sailors walked within the walls of the Loryma Citadel. Today, it's only tourists and donkeys. I never cease to be amazed by the huge number of Mediterranean archaeological sites of the ancient civilizations of Greece, Turkey, and Rome. Loryma has long been abandoned, but it has an eerie atmosphere. I wouldn't want to be up there alone after dark.