Bodrum Halikarnassos (1965-1991)

Professor Dr. Reha Günay's new book, “A Journey Through The Triditional Architecture 1: BODRUM HALIKARNASSOS (1965-1991)”, which he created by using his identity as both a traditional architecture expert and a photographer, was published by YEM Publishing in cooperation with Bodrum Municipality.

Reha Günay, who has always worked in many ways for many years, meticulously researched and produced with an artistic perspective, conveys Bodrum, the tourism capital of Turkey, in this work with his original black and white photographs taken between 1965-1991 and its traditional architectural features. Günay's impressions and determinations of traditional Bodrum architecture are given in 10 sections under the titles of "BODRUM PENINSULA, BODRUM, MÜSKEBİ, TURGUTREİS, YALIKAVAK, GÜMÜŞLÜK, KARAKAYA, AKYARLAR, FRONT PORCH PERGOLAS and DEMIR HOLIDAY RESORT".

Professor Dr. Reha Günay:

“The Bodrum (Halikarnassos) Peninsula, due to transportation difficulties, remained isolated from the political and cultural environment of the Middle Ages and the mainland Anatolia, where significant changes occurred for centuries. This isolation endured until the construction of a highway in the 1930s, granting limited access to motor vehicles. In the 1960s, the opening of a new highway suddenly exposed the peninsula to a large-scale impact from the booming tourism activities. Whilst the peninsula maintained its settlement texture suitable to its own way of life for centuries, this mobility almost obliterated the traditional texture.

This book presents observations and visuals from the period of around 1965 to 1991, with a few from 2011, capturing the early stages of disruption. With minimal external influence within environmental conditions, this unique and straightforward architectural and settlement texture, perhaps carrying traces of a history spanning thousands of years, directly connected us to nature and humanity. A comparison with the current situation reflects the harsh dimensions of change. Recognizing many places has now become almost impossible…”

Ahmet ARAS (Mayor of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality):

Professor Dr. Reha Günay, with around his 30 books discussing key examples of traditional architecture, regional architectural studies and curated exhibitions, is creating and documenting significant reference sources in the field of urban identity and urban memory.

In his book ‘A Journey Through The Traditional Architecture • 1: BODRUM HALIKARNASSOS (1965-1991)’, Günay projects images through the lens of his camera, documenting fading examples of Bodrum’s traditional architecture and way of life, helping us refresh our memory.

In his work, Prof. Dr. Günay refers to the works of Cengiz Bektaş’s ‘An Example from Folk Architecture Art: Bodrum’, Nezih R. Aysel’s ‘Bodrum: Müsgebi/Ortakent. An Architectural Study’ and Suha Özkan & Richard Plunz’s ‘Turgutreis 1974’ published with contributions from Bodrum Municipality which was also translated into English.

Studying the examples of Chios-style houses, houses with musandıra (mezzanine) and tower-type houses specific to Bodrum Architecture; Professor Dr. Günay, describing nearly forgotten concepts of Bodrum domestic life like ayazlık, çanaklık, yunmalık, yüklük and terek, narrates the traditional architecture of the Müsgebi neighborhood, where my childhood unfolded: ‘In the end, everyone is equal and shows mutual respect. No one hinders anyone else’s view or breeze. No one strives to flaunt their home and makes others envious. Unfortunately, these communal values are no longer part of us.’

We are delighted to be involved in the publication of ‘A Journey Through The Traditional Architecture • 1: BODRUM HALIKARNASSOS (1965-1991)’. I thank Umut Ülkümen, who directly contributed to the publication of the book and appreciate the valuable efforts of Professor Dr. Suha Özkan, the mind behind Bodrum Architecture Library, YEM Publishing and my colleagues.

I do not wish my childhood and the Bodrum of my childhood to fade away. I do not wish ours to be a generation with a forgotten past, watching Bodrum with a heavy heart…”

The graphic design of the book was done by Gökçen Yanlı Atmaca, the English translation was done by Timur Altıok, and the proofreading was done by Şefik Onat.