Beçin Castle

 I have saved the best of my Türkiye trip for last. This was a long haul inland to the city and castle of Beçin, near Milas in the Mugla province. It was around two hours driving from Marmaris, up good if steep roads. It is only 30 minutes from Bodrum if you are staying there. The first photo is from the village below, and the second is from the city above, indicating how the site dominates the surrounding plain. It reminded me of Stirling, although at 35C, it was a bit warmer!

The site was occupied since the Hellenistic period, and a modest Byzantine church indicates the settlement continued into the medieval period, probably named Pezona. At the end of the 13th century, it was captured by the Menteşe Beylik, becoming the capital of the Beylik, and it expanded rapidly. This frontier state was established by the Oghuz Turks after the decline of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. The majority of the surviving buildings originate from the 14th century. In the 15th century, the beylik of Menteşe was annexed by the Ottoman Empire, and its importance started to decline.

A decent road brings you up to the plateau and the car park. You can wander around the city ruins, but the castle is being restored. The last photo shows the work so far, which looks very impressive.

The city itself has the ruins of mosques, hamans, inns and the outer walls. 

The Ahmet Gazi Madrasa (religious school), has been reconstructed. It was named after the Bey who commissioned it and dates from 1375. There are informative displays in Turkish and English, which explain how the madrasa operated and fitted in with other schools in the region. 

 When the castle repairs are completed this will be an excellent example of early Turkish fortification. Even in its current condition it was worth the trip.