The Mausoleum

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was built in Halicarnassus Mavsolos ( most probably in 335 BC ) on behalf of King Mausolos by his wife and his sister Artemisia, Mausoleum is a very big grave that combines Greek and Egyptian architecture. Today, its site is on open-air museum visited with awe for the accomplishments of the ancients. According to ancient authors, Mausoleum is composed four sections. Some statues and relief sculpture of Mausoleum is exhibited in British Museum. These parts of grave were taken by British archeologist Sir Newton in 1857. People who live in Bodrum has started a signature campaign for the return of the grave.

Today, in the lowest floor there is a podium; above this floor there is a temple shaped section consist of 36 Ion columns and in the third section there is 24 step pyramid shaped roof and eventually in the last section there are Mausolos and Artemisia’s statues located in a horse cab which was draught by four horses. 

Mausoleum was protected until 13th century and this ancient grave was demolished due to an earthquake and then its stones were used in the construction of Bodrum Castle.