The Aegean Region - Turkey with Your Family: From Bustling Bazaars to Historic Sites - page 135

to see events. The amphitheatre,
or Bodrum's Antique Theatre as it
is known, is believed to date from
around 330 to 30 years BC, the
Hellenistic Age's reign of Carian.
Open 10am-6pm daily except
Monday, with reduced hours in winter
months. Admission free.

Open 9am-late daily, depending on
the season. Admission free with
costs for attractions.

Scala Beach, Ortakent,
Bodrum

★★
Scala Beach, Ortakent Yalisi,
Bodrum. b [phone],
www.scalabeach.net

FIND

★
Çe@me Kalesi, Waterfront, Çe@me.
b [phone]
A remarkably intact, 16th-
century Genoese-style castle, the
Çe @ me Kalesi, otherwise known
as the Castle of St Peter, stands
prominently on the waterfront of
the town. It was built by the
Sultan Beyazit II, a powerful
16th-century ruler of the town, to
provide defence against pirates
and naval warriors. Çe @ me was
the first port of call from the
Mediterranean, and often came
under attack from invaders.
Rectangular in shape and afford-
ing six towers and a courtyard, it
just begs to be explored. Your
children will love it. Inside, there's
an interesting nautical museum ,
with exhibits of ships, anchors
and other artefacts recovered from
shipwrecks in the area. Every year
the castle hosts several festivals,
including the International
Çe@me Music Festival and the
Izmir International Arts Festival
(see p. 122).The nearby tourist
information office in Iskele
Meydani No 8 has information
on the long programme of events
for both festivals.
Open 8.30am-5pm daily except Mon-
day, with reduced hours in winter. Often
closed for a lunch break. Admission
10 YTL adults, 5 YTL children.

Çe@me Kalesi, Çe@me

A perfect place for a family to
spend a few hours, or days, the
Scala Beach complex offers
swimming and sunbathing, lots
of sports such as basketball, vol-
leyball and tennis, more unusual
activities that include a climbing
wall plus snack bars, restaurants
and a buffet with goodies to suit
all the family's tastes. There's a
programme of special events,
while in the evening there's
music, dancing and entertain-
ment. Scala Beach promises
fun - and it definitely delivers.

Historic Buildings &
Monuments

★

Bodrum Antique Theatre

Bodrum Antique Theatre, Kibris
Sehitler Caddesi, Bodrum. b +90 252
316 10 91 (tourist information).

The large amphitheatre stands a
short walk inland from the quay-
side up Göktepe Hill. It can be
seen from the ring road that cir-
cles the town. Your children will
love to visit for the chance to
stand in the centre of the 'stage',
recite their favourite poem or sing
a ditty and hear their voices echo
back to them from the Cavea,
otherwise known as the seating
area. Thousands of people would
have once sat on the stone seats

135