Mausoleum Of Halikarnassos

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is a massive tomb monument built in the 4th century BC by Artemisia, Queen of Caria, in honor of her husband and brother, King Mausolus, whom she had recently lost. With its original design combining Greek column architecture with a stepped roof reminiscent of the Egyptian pyramids, the structure became one of the most striking buildings of its era and was counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The word "mausoleum," derived from King Mausolus's name, has since been used to refer to all grand monumental tombs.

Severely damaged by a major earthquake in the 14th century, the mausoleum was used as a quarry in the 15th century by the Knights of St. John, who were building Bodrum Castle; many of the structure's blocks were carried off to the castle's walls. A significant portion of its decorative friezes was later taken to England by British archaeologists in the 19th century.

Today, the foundation remains and ground plan of the mausoleum can be visited on-site as an open-air museum. Being able to see tangible traces of one of the ancient world's lost wonders makes the site one of Bodrum's most distinctive historical stops.