The 4th century BC Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (ancient Bodrum) was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Mausolus, a satrap in the Achaemenid Empire and ruler of Caria, made Halicarnassus his capital. Following his death, his widow and sister Artemisia supervised the tomb's construction, which inspired the term "mausoleum" for grand tombs.
Created by the finest Greek sculptors and architects of the era, the colossal white marble tomb was adorned with a pyramid and a magnificent chariot for King Mausolus. Sadly, an earthquake destroyed the Mausoleum, and the knights of the Order of Saint John repurposed its remains to build Bodrum Castle.
Nowadays, visitors can explore the original ruins in a serene garden setting, complete with a model of the Mausoleum and replicas of its sculptures. A guided tour brings the ancient site to life.
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