Beçin Castle
Overlooking The Milas’ Plain
By Slowtravelguide
If you live in the neighbourhood of Bodrum or make use of the Bodrum Airport, no doubt you have noticed the Castle on the hill near Milas dominating the surrounding plains. Impressive and beautiful but not much different from most of these castles you find all over Turkey.
In reality, Beçin Castle has much more to offer than its castle, the plateau on which the castle sits is vast, and home of a large ancient site with the castle, there is the restored Madrasah, the red hostelry, the Yelli Complex and more.
Next time you pass the castle, visit it. You will be amazed.
Madrasah Entrance
With Orhan Mosque On The Other Side And Second Mausoleum In The Background
Beçin Castle Seen From Afar
Beçin Castle, The Historical Context
The first Beçin Castle dates back to the Byzantine era. The Menteşe family renovated the castle when Becin became the capital of their territory in the 14th Century. This territory stretched from Aydin to Fethiye and even to Finike.
Emir Menteşe conquered Caria in early 1260 and started expanding his territory with several captures, like the Aegean Islands, Tralleis, Nysa, Fethiye, Köycegiz and Marmaris. He died in 1291. Even Rhodes was included in expansion for ten years by his son at a certain point
Beçin Castle With Milas In The Background
The emirate kept expanding over the next century until it divided in 1358. Under the rule of Ahmed Gazi (the madrasah is named after him), Beçin knew its height. When the Ottomans came back in power in 1426, this all ended, and the decline started. Some families kept living at the citadel until the 1950s.
Beçin Castle and the ancient site are beautiful places to visit. Let us give you a walkthrough.
Beçin Castle
The Beçin Castle dominating the views over Milas was part of different civilizations in the Catholic, Hellenistic Roman, Byzantine, Mentese and Ottoman periods. Its strategic location made it seemingly impregnable.
Luckily now you can reach the castle by driving up a comfortable road. There is a big parking lot available next to the entrance. Many walls of the castle are still standing, and after climbing the stairs, you are rewarded with formidable views of the surroundings.
View From Inside Beçin Castle
The Restored Madrasah Entrance Seen From Orhan Mosque
Water-reservoir Near The Ahmed Gazi Madrasah
The Ahmed Gazi Madrasah (Museum)
The meticulously restored Armed Gazi Madrasah is used as a museum now. It is a single store building constructed in 1375. It has a beautiful south facade. There are eight student cells. The museum shows the visitors what life in the Madrasah looked like. Several beautiful carved tombstones are also on display in the courtyard. The grave (Turbe) of Ahmed Gazi (the builder of the Madrasah) sits opposite the entrance.
Madrasah Courtyard
Education At Madrasah
At first, people thought that the Madrasah gave up to 40 students, but later it became clear that this figure must have been higher because students also lived in their own homes and only came to the Madrasah to study.
The Red Hostelry
The Red Hostelry is an intriguing building. Although the roof collapsed, it doesn’t fail to impress when you walk in and around it. It is an unique example that built a single nave with two stories in Anatolia.
Arched barrel vaults tan the ground floor and domed ceilings for the upper floor. Researchers found that the building had a prayer room and an observation deck. The hostelry was used as a trade hostelry and an inner-city hostelry.
The Red Hostelry
What To Expect
How To Get There: Private, rental car or public transport (check the map below).
Nearest Airport: Bodrum Milas Airport.
Parking: Yes.
Terrain: Medium.
Stroller: No
Entrance Fee: Yes (Museumpass is valid).
Facilities: No.
Best Time To Visit: All year, depending on the weather.
Mediterranean Cypresses On The Cemetery At Beçin Castle
The Graveyard
One of the spots you have to visit on the Beçin site is the old graveyard. Beautiful gravestones and Mediterranean Cypress trees create a serenity that will turn you quiet.
The cemetery is on the path to the Yelli Social Complex. The graveyard is only partly excavated. The tombs date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.
Restoration Works Are In Full Swing At The Yelli Mosque
Places Nearby
Çomakdağ, a return to nomadic traditions (16 km)
Labraunda, a visit to the Sanctuary of Zeus Labraundos (16 km)
Iassos is always pretty (19 km)
Stratonikeia is a well-kept secret near Milas (25 km)
Lagina visit Hekate in Lagina (25 km)
The Yelli Complex
In the eastern part of the Beçin, you can find the Yelli Complex, consisting of a mosque, a madrasah and a bathhouse (hamam).
Restoration works are taking place in this part of the site, and not all buildings will be accessible.
If possible, look at the dome – ceiling of the Yelli Mosque, especially the brickwork. Contrary to the Ahmed Gazi Madrasah, the Yelli Madrasah from the 15th century has not yet been restored, and the madrasah was built with ashlar stones and rubble stones as done in many other buildings at the site.
The Yelli Mosque Is Tucked Away In An Olive-tree Field.
Amirs Yard
Other Buildings Near Beçin Castle
The area around the Castle is stretched out and houses more buildings that you can look at. There are the remains of the Orhan Mosque, the Taxman’s house and two anonymous mausolea near the Ahmed Gazi Madrasah. There are ruins of stone houses and other ruins like bathhouses.
Visiting Beçin castle will be a delightful walk wandering from ruin to ruin amidst olive gardens and nature. This is a beautiful place.
Orhan Mosque Entrance With The Second And Third Mausoleum In The Background
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Madrasah Seen From Orhan Mosque
Practical Information
Beçin Castle is very close to the D400 main road and Milas centre, but a walk uphill, depending on the time of the year so you may consider other transport than walking. There’s a regular public bus to Beçin for which you can find the current timetables here. (They’re in Turkish, but with Google translate you will be fine) If you visit by car, there is a large parking space near the entrance.
No facilities on-site, so bring enough water when visiting in the summer. There’s a source of drinkable water on the site.
Frescos At Gökbel Valley
The frescos here are almost from another planet. You can enjoy them when you hike to the Yediler Monastery near Lake Bafa, or when you descend to Gerga, which may be one of the most mysterious places in Turkey. (Coming Soon)
Pınara
When visiting Pinara, the words that come to mind are untouched, undiscovered, mysterious and serene. Another off the beaten track destination is often overlooked when visiting nearby Xanthos. (Coming soon)
Iassos
Iassos is an often forgotten ancient site near the Bodrum Peninsula. Being probably more than 4000 years old, it was a prosperous town; the fishing trade generated its primary income. (Read more)
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