PEDASA


It is the country of the blue eternities that have been blessed by the extraordinary beauties for centuries.

An archive with rich traces of the human history, a large library...

The footprints of the past lives and the historical artifacts, the ruins, the temples that shroud the peninsula from one end to the other...

A white dream weaved by the unique accumulation of ages and the generous hands of nature.

The ancient city of Pedasa. That has cast a light on Leleges, the oldest known inhabitants of the peninsula but also in today’s life. *

The ancient city of Pedasa is located on the untouched hills of Konacik, at the Gokceler location, surrounded by green environs. The city is the most important Lelegian settlement of the Halicarnassus peninsula.

Pedasa that we trace back was first described in Iliad epic of Homers as “Altes is the king of warlike Lelegians, he kept Pedasos in his possession on Satnioeis shores.” Herodotus describes this unique civilization, as “They are the ones who invented crest for hard hats, scraping signs on apron shields, and also a holder for apron shields.” Lelegians who put their stamp on history as being very good stone masters and warriors are also well-known for the architectural buildings they have built without using grout and lime. The Lelegian structures have reached the present day as untouched traces, despite thousands of years passed and all the pressures of Greek civilization.

Pedasa with its temple, monumental tumuluses of different kinds (sepulchres), palace remains, towers, roads, ramparts, necropolis, agricultural terraces, farm buildings, acropolis, castle walls; spreads over a wide area from Konacik ridges to Torba Harbour and contains all unique features of Leleg settlement within itself. The ancient city of Pedasa with no binding material in its base was built by stacking stone blocks carved by Lelegians. Since the excavations started in 2008, it has become the voice of Bodrum in the science world as the stage of important archaeological discoveries.

The Temple of Athena, first discovered in Pedasa excavations, is one of the most important sacred cult centres of antiquity. The temple is the earliest known first temple of the peninsula, as well as being the first building to welcome visitors at the entrance of the city. The story of the sanctuary of Athena by Herodotus is as follows; when something bad happens to the people of Pedasa, the priest's beards lengthen, and this was repeated three times in the history of the city. Finds in the building from the 7th century BC certifies that the site has had a holy identity at least since this period. North of the patrol building, there is a "holy road" that leads to the Athena Sanctuary.

There is an extensive layout plan in the Acropolis. Upper Castle about 200 meters high is supported by inner walls and pavilions and is surrounded by two outer walls. The walls are about 200 meters long and 200 meters wide and surround the Acropolis on the main rock. East of the Acropolis, the Watchtower is located, which views the peninsula and in the centre of Acropolis, there is a mega-manned Executive Building. The necropolis areas, starting from the high hills of the Acropolis to the low hills of Konacik, provide important information about the beliefs of the Lelegans.

The ancient city of Pedasa, which is located quite close to the centre of Bodrum and can easily be found with road signs, is especially nice for trekking lovers and has a long walking trail. We recommend you to wear a good pair of walking shoes for your visit to Pedasa as you are not allowed to get your vehicle to the site, therefore, a long distance walk will be a must in order to get there. The area where the city is founded is in the 1st-degree archaeological site and has a rich habitat. During your walk, it is also possible to encounter the various wild animals and the conversation of the shepherds who graze their herds.

Pedasa Ancient City is the shining star of cultural tourism for both its historical fabric and walking tracks.

The International Pedasa Festival, organized every year in early May, is held on the foot slopes of the ancient city.