The Bodrum Guide

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Yalıkavak

Situated 18 km from Bodrum, Yalıkavak is in the north east of the Bodrum Peninsula. Yalıkavak's history goes parallel with that of Bodrum. Today, most of the archaeological remains of Yalıkavak area are other unexcavated sites or unattractive ruins.  It is suggested that the ancient city of Yalıkavak was situated on top of one of the hills.  Few tombstones and city walls still bear witness to former history of the town.

Yalıkavak has a charming old boat shelter with fine sea food restaurants, lined around it. Recently built ultra-modern Marina changed the atmosphere of the town completely. Marina has great number of brand shops.

One of the interesting discoveries at Yalıkavak was discovery of so called Demeter statue by the sponge divers in1953. In 1963 another sponge diver Mehmet Imbat presented the statue of so called Negro Boy which he found near Yalıkavak to Bodrum Museum underwater archeology. The discovery of these bronze statues was indicating existence of a vessel carrying statues. The location of the vessel was discovered at the depth of 84 meters with the help submarine Asterah in 1964.

GERİŞ Village

Known as the Tibet of Bodrum, Geris village located on a high hill in the south of Yalıkavak.  Geris village mesmerize visitors with its interesting houses and stunning view of Yalıkavak town and nearby Yalıkavak gulf, bays and islands.

Uranion

Uranion, was One of the famous Leleg cities is located near Geris. 5th century BC, Uranion was listed among the cities paying tax to Attic Delos When Mausolos moved the capital from Mylasa to Halicarnassus he forced the populations of 6 Leleg cities to settle in his new capital. One of those cities was Uranion. Unfortunately, there is a limited information about Uranion. According to ancient writer Diodorus, after the Trojan War, Carians settled in the island of Symi. But, because of drought, they moved to Uranium. The remains of the ancient city in of Uranion is situated on two hills, located between Geris village and the coast. Like the other Leleg cities, Uranion has also city walls, inner citadel and towers. The Acropolis of the city is situated on a hill, located in the east of the city. Archaic and classical person pottery discovered in Uranion not only give the information about the city and also show resemblances with the pottery discovered in the other Leleg cities. In 1970, a house type tomb, located on a hill close to the coast was excavated and restored by Germain archaeologist.

Sandima village

Located 2,5 km in the south of Yalıkavak, Sandima was one of the important Turcoman settlements of the region. Like many villages in the region, the village was established on a hill far from the coastline. The idea behind decision was mainly protection from the danger coming from the sea. Secondly, all these hills were suitable for the feed of their animals. Up to 1960?, this was a living village. There were nearly 150 houses and the population of the village was nearly 700 people during its golden age. the people of Sandima earned their living by animal raising and olives. Then because of economic reasons people of Sandima moved to preset day Yalıkavak. Sandima was Situated on the southern slopes of Partipayas Rock, in a fertile area between mountains and the coast.

Sandima is today totally abandoned. Visitors enjoy the Beauty of deserted stone houses with gardens with stunning panoramic view of Yalıkavak Village. Sandima houses are built in Bodrum style, mainly in stone. they have a simple plan and flat roof and low garden or courtyard walls. None of the houses cut the view of each other. The village is divided into two quarters by a narrow valley. Narrow paths just wide enough for animal and human passing can be seen everywhere. Although it is suggested that Sandima was a Greek church and its population moved in 1922 during the Exchange of populations, there is a strong opposition to it. This was a Turkmen village with typical Bodrum stone houses and there is no sign of any Greek style houses or a building church for a Christian community.

Today, among all the abandoned house, one family welcomes all the visitors.