Perhaps the most alluring aspect of trekking along the peaks of hills of the Bodrum Peninsula is the chance to feast one's eyes on superb panoramas of innumerable islands, capes, inlets, bays and coves that grace this Aegean coast like intricate lace. Viewed from afar the peaks have the appearance of barren rock, but a closer look often reveals that these rocks form man-made walls of terraced fields.

 

Construction of the terraces began in remote antiquity and continued 'till recent times, and now, shrouded by vegetation, they hide their past from the human eye.

 

Where there are peaks there are valleys, many covered with pine and an astonishing assortment of shrubs and plants, their beauty concealed from coastal viewing by dense and disorderly construction. The valleys and the mountains can be explored by a handful of trails along which are found dwellings and their foundations, water-wells, cisterns and Ancient keeps or forts. Some of these are the remains from the oldest-known inhabitants of this area, the Lelegians, who lived here before 700 BC and, according to Strabo the Geographer (64 BC-23 AD), founded eight cities in the region.

 

 

 

Pliny, geographer and historian (23-79 AD), identifies six of these cities, Termera, Side (Sihda). Madnasa, Pedasa, Telmissus and Uranium as those that were depopulated by Mausolus who transferred their populations to his new capital, Halicarnassus, while the remaining two towns, Syangela and Myndos, were enlarged. The sites of these Ancient settlements, with the remains of their characteristic Lelegian structures, may be reached in walks along the quiet trails less traveled today.

Lelegian dwellings are easily recognized by their unusual circular and oval shapes. Built with large, roughly squared boulders, these Lelegian structures sometimes reached outer diameter of 20-23 meters. Their inner unroofed animal enclosures are also roughly circular but not concentric with the outer wall, thus forming very thick sections on one side of the structure where living quarters and storage rooms are located.

Buildings of rectangular and square shape are also found in these settlements and the remains of keeps of refuge, stone towers placed in inaccessible places near hill tops, provide significant clues to the way of life of these long gone people.

    1. Side: This is the best concealed of all the Lelegian settlements and is mentioned only by Pliny; it is referred to as Sidba by Stephen the Byzantine. Located on Karadag (Black Mountain) Side is composed of two separate settlements of strongholds of refuge, Oren Keep in the north and Girel Keep in the south. These blend so well with the surroundings that neither can be spotted from any distance. Black Mountain and Oyuklu Mountain (690 m.) form the highest massif of the Peninsula and the latter also has a refuge stronghold near its peak.

    2. Termera: Situated in the south-west of the Peninsula on the tops of Aspat Cifit fortress and Asarlik peak, both of which constitute natural strongholds of refuge.

    3. Telmissus:Situated on the hills overlooking the village of Gürece. Outer walls and an inner keep or tower can he seen.

    4. Mandasa: Remains of this settlement are located on a hill between Turkbükü and Yukarigöl. A necropolis, or cemetery, is in the vicinity.

    5. Pedasa: Can he reached by a 90 minute walk to the north of Konacik village. Remains of a keep and Lelegian walls exist today.

    6. Uranium: Situated on top of Burgaz Hill near the village of Geris, it can be identified by the remains of an inner keep and outer walls.

    7. Syangela: Located to the east of the Bodrum Peninsula between the villages of Kizilagaç and çiftlik.

    8. Thiangela: Located on Kale Mountain above Derince village and to the north of Çiftlik. Remains of the town and fortress exist.


Strongholds of refuge (fortresses where local inhabitants hid from invaders) are also located at: Kaplandag (Tiger Mountain, 468m.), Kovuk Çal peak, Büyük Keneli peak, Tirman Dagi (548m.), Büyük Çevrim, Tirman, Kisla Dagi (400m.). The remains of a large number of Lelegian dwellings can also be seen at the latter location.