The town of Bodrum in Turkey is well known as a gateway to various coastal holidays resorts that lie within reach of the town. But Bodrum itself is a fascinating town and is well worth a visit, if only for a few days, to see the sights and sounds of real Turkey. Tourism is becoming ever more important for Bodrum but the economic roots of the town lie in fishing, boat building and farming and many historical elements of those trades can still be found.

The sea has always played a large part in Bodrum's history and the harbour is still a focal point for the town. The castle that dominates the harbour entrance gives some indication of the past when defending the city from attack by sea was crucial.

The Persians, Egyptians and Romans all ruled the town at some stage in its past and in the sixteenth century Bodrum became part of the Ottoman Empire until the formation of the Repulic of Turkey in 1923. Architectural remains of all this turmoil remain including the famous antique ampitheatre which still hosts concerts today. Twice a week a thriving street markets sets up in the town showcasing many of the crafts and produce of the surrounding area.

But nighttime is when parts of Bodrum really come to life. The nightlife in the town includes bars, cafes, music venues and restaurants which provide visitors with endless possiblities to while away the evening hours. Republic Street ( also known as Bar Street for obvious reasons) is the centre of the action with hundreds of establishments to enjoy, many with indoor and outdoor seating. The big nightclub in Bodrum is Halikarnas (named after the old name for Bodrum, Halicarnassus) which opened in 1979 and has been attracted huge audiences ever since. The club features some of Europe's best-known DJ's and boasts a number of celebrity visitors over the years. Unusually for a nightclub, the clement weather in Bodrum allows the Halikarnas to operate one of the biggest open-air clubs in the world with a capacity of 5000 people. It's certainly a memorable place to go if you like your music. (picture by Liberato)