Exploring the walls of Halicarnassus

Once again, Turkey is trying to promote tourism (in spite of the pandemic!) to their many archaeological sites and this time they are concentrating on Halicarnassus, today’s Bodrum. This kind of news has already aired in my previous blog, Putting Halicarnassus on the (tourist) map.

It is very regrettable that each time new excavation plans are published they come with very little new information. Although mostly buried beneath the modern houses and constructions, the layout of ancient Halicarnassus is pretty well known.

The most striking monuments are the inevitable theater that offers an unequaled view over the harbor and the castle, and the Mindus Gate, which has been partially reconstructed (see: Halicarnassus, capital of Caria).

In this recent article published by The Hurriyet Daily News, they merely mention that the walls “cover a large area” (how large, I wonder?) and constitute a strong defense system with its 40 towers and four castles (where?). The article includes a picture of workmen digging or clearing the land around some big stone blocks (see above).

It is up to the reader to draw his own conclusions!