Bozukkale: The History and Ruins
On a remote stretch of coastline on the southern tip of the Bozburun peninsula lies the remains of an ancient citadel referred to as Bozukkale – which is Turkish for "broken castle".
Back when the castle was built (probably around 700 BC), the fortress was home to a formidable navy base. Part of the navy's job was to prevent enemies from gathering in the large natural harbour formed by the peninsula before or after attacking the nearby island of Rhodes. (On a clear day, you can see the Greek islands of Rhodes, Halki, Alimia, and Symi from the top of the castle walls.)
The stronghold, which is still recognizable, was 334 meters long, 36 metres wide, and had hand-hewn, stone block walls that were over 2 meters thick. Look-out towers (either 9 or 11, experts seem to disagree) were built along the walls, allowing soldiers to monitor approaching vessels from great distances. As large as it was, the bastion easily blended into the barren and rocky landscape. Minimal restoration work has been done, but it's still easy to appreciate the craftsmanship and effort that went into building this massive stone castle.
The city of ancient Loryma was located nearby, on the flat hill on the northern end of the bay. Once a settlement of about 50 small homes, Loryma was an important religious center in ancient Caria. Occasional ruins and artefacts can still be seen, but minimal archaeological research or restoration has been conducted on the ancient settlement and Mother Nature has reclaimed the area as her own.
Modern Day Bozukkale
Nowadays, Bozukkale is a popular yachting anchorage known for its peaceful, sheltered harbour and exceptionally clean water. The bay is home to some of the largest Sea Turtles we've ever seen, and it's not uncommon to spot dolphins along this stretch of the Carian coast. Located around 35km (by boat) from the coastal resort towns of Marmaris and Datça, it is a little too far for visits by daily boat tours, so Bozukkale retains a quiet and peaceful atmosphere throughout the season.
Besides a couple of sail-up restaurants which have established themselves along the water's edge for "yachties" who want a break for their on-board galleys, there are no services or roads in to the area. It is only accessible by sea. (Technically, Bozukkale is also accessible on foot or by bicycle because Turkey's Carian Trail - an 800km walking trail along the coast of Aydin and Muğla provinces - runs through the area. But for the general public, it's a little too far off the beaten path to reach on foot.)
The lack of electricity, limited wi-fi connectivity, and peaceful atmosphere makes Bozukkale an ideal spot to disconnect from the pressures of everyday life, and simply enjoy the here and now.
The Legend of Ekmekçi Burnu
On the sea-side of the ruined castle at Bozukkale is a stretch of coastline referred to as "Ekmekçi Burnu" by local boaters. Legend says that a young sailor once perished on the rocky shore after a storm capsized his fishing boat. Modern-day travellers toss bread ("ekmek" in Turkish) into the sea and give a prayer of thanks when passing the peninsula ("burnu" in Turkish) – to appease the powers that be, and avoid a similar fate.
Bozukkale, Turkey: A Photo Gallery
Click on any image to expand it.
![Two sailboats anchored at the foot of a massive, tree-covered hill on Turkey's Mediterranean coast](../img/gallery/C1681-thumb.jpg)
![Aerial view of Bozukkale, including boats anchored in the natural harbour and the castle ruins](../img/gallery/DD0020-thumb.jpg)
![View of the restored castle walls at Bozukkale along Turkey's rugged Mediterranean coast line](../img/gallery/DD0033-thumb.jpg)
![Aerial view of the restored castle walls at Bozukkale, with the Greek island of Rhodes appearing faintly on the horizon](../img/gallery/DD0043-thumb.jpg)
![Cruise guests and crew throwing bread into the sea at Ekmekci Burnu](../img/gallery/F5996-thumb.jpg)
![Turkish flag flying above the well restored walls of a castle turret at Bozukkale](../img/gallery/G1769-thumb.jpg)
![Close-up of the stone blocks forming the castle walls at Bozukkale](../img/gallery/G1772-thumb.jpg)
![Trees and bushes fill the interior of the partially restored castle at Bozukkale](../img/gallery/G1788-thumb.jpg)
![The castle walls at Bozukkale, made from hand-hewn blocks of stone, are about a metre thick](../img/gallery/G1803-thumb.jpg)
![Sailboats moored along a wood jetty beneath castle ruins at Bozukkale](../img/gallery/G1831-thumb.jpg)
![Cruise guests throwing bread into the sea at Ekmekci Burnu](../img/gallery/G1842-thumb.jpg)
![Panorama of the castle walls on the crest of the Bozukkale peninsula as seen from the sea](../img/gallery/H7565-thumb.jpg)
![Guests throwing bread into the sea while passing Ekmekci Burnu](../img/gallery/H7595-thumb.jpg)
![Sailors throwing bread into the sea while passing Ekmekci Burnu near Bozukkale](../img/gallery/H7675-thumb.jpg)
![Two sailboats anchored at the foot of a massive, tree-covered hill on Turkey's Mediterranean coast](../img/gallery/C1681.jpg)
![Aerial view of Bozukkale, including boats anchored in the natural harbour and the castle ruins](../img/gallery/DD0020.jpg)
![View of the restored castle walls at Bozukkale along Turkey's rugged Mediterranean coast line](../img/gallery/DD0033.jpg)
![Aerial view of the restored castle walls at Bozukkale, with the Greek island of Rhodes appearing faintly on the horizon](../img/gallery/DD0043.jpg)
![Cruise guests and crew throwing bread into the sea at Ekmekci Burnu](../img/gallery/F5996.jpg)
![Turkish flag flying above the well restored walls of a castle turret at Bozukkale](../img/gallery/G1769.jpg)
![Close-up of the stone blocks forming the castle walls at Bozukkale](../img/gallery/G1772.jpg)
![Trees and bushes fill the interior of the partially restored castle at Bozukkale](../img/gallery/G1788.jpg)
![The castle walls at Bozukkale, made from hand-hewn blocks of stone, are about a metre thick](../img/gallery/G1803.jpg)
![Sailboats moored along a wood jetty beneath castle ruins at Bozukkale](../img/gallery/G1831.jpg)
![Cruise guests throwing bread into the sea at Ekmekci Burnu](../img/gallery/G1842.jpg)
![Panorama of the castle walls on the crest of the Bozukkale peninsula as seen from the sea](../img/gallery/H7565.jpg)
![Guests throwing bread into the sea while passing Ekmekci Burnu](../img/gallery/H7595.jpg)
![Sailors throwing bread into the sea while passing Ekmekci Burnu near Bozukkale](../img/gallery/H7675.jpg)