Bozuk Bükü

Entering Bozuk Bükü with the ancient citadel up to the left    

On Sunday 12 April we made one of our shortest passages ever but were jolly glad we didn’t pass by Bozuk Bükü. The entrance to the large bay is dominated by the ruins of a Hellenic fort up on the high ground to the left.  Once inside the entrance we turned left to find what we hoped would be the best shelter, in a small bay just below the citadel.

Sometimes you arrrive somewhere and it instantly brings a smile to your face; you know you have found a gem! This small bay with its wooden walkway to the Alibaba restaurant was just such a place. The restaurant looked closed but a young man walked out and held up a pick-up line for us so, rather than anchoring, we attached ourselves to the walkway. He then made us a coffee in the restaurant. As you can see from the photos below, it’s a fabulous setting.

They were just starting to clean up the restaurant, ready for the coming season so we couldn't eat there yet; perhaps on our way back this way. So we had the place to ourselves and we weren’t even charged for the coffee!

In the restaurant was a little information about the citadel and so, enthused by that, after lunch on board we climbed up to take a look.

The views down into the bay were spectacular but the thick walls of the citade were equally impressive.

Rhodes Island in the distance on the horizon

We clambered all around the 3 metre thick 10 metre high walls and the ruins of the 9 towers. The castle is believed to date from around the 10th century BC and was strategically placed to influence the seaway between the mainland and the island of Rhodes 10 miles to the south.

Whilst the castle dates from around 10 BC, the bay itself has been a convenient stopping point for centuries before that and it is recoreded as having being used by the Athenian fleet in 412, 395, and 305 BC on their way to or from battles.

We just loved the views from the top and the freedom to clamber around wherever we wished to...

...and, of course, the idyllic location in which to moor BV. We’ll definitely be back later in the season when the restaurant is open.

Bozuk Bükü, Turkey