Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Duration
1 hr
Admission
Free
Best time
Morning
Budget
Free
About this place
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built around 350 BC as the tomb of Mausolus, the Persian satrap of Caria, in what is now the heart of modern Bodrum. Though largely destroyed by earthquakes over the centuries, the site preserves the original foundations and displays remarkable surviving sculptures and friezes. The word mausoleum itself derives from this legendary monument.
Tips
Visit the on-site museum to see the surviving sculptures, friezes, and architectural fragments recovered from the site, which give a vivid sense of the monument's original grandeur. The site is compact and can be explored comfortably in around an hour, making it an easy addition to a morning in Bodrum town centre. Note that many of the finest surviving sculptures from the mausoleum are housed in the British Museum in London, so the on-site collection is best appreciated alongside this broader context. The mausoleum is located in the heart of Bodrum town within easy walking distance of the castle, the bazaar, and the marina.