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Torba

Torba is a quiet and decent residential area covered with pine trees, in the northeast of the Bodrum Peninsula, 6.5 km from the center of Bodrum.

Torba, which is one of the first places that comes to mind when Bodrum is mentioned, with its fishermen's shelter on the beach, a few boutique hotels and restaurants and its regulars that have been coming for years, has also made a name for itself with its touristic facilities that has been built in recent years.

Torba is also a very convenient location because it can be reached without entering the traffic and crowd of the Bodrum peninsula.

In addition, Bodrum Intercity Bus Terminal, which was opened in the summer of 2021, is also within the boundaries of Torba.

Torba is the best starting point for those who want to tour the Bodrum Peninsula around the coast. The peninsula coastal route starting from Torba continues in Golkoy, Turkbuku, Gundogan, Yalikavak, Gumusluk, Kadikalesi, Turgutreis, Akyarlar, Bagla, Kargi Bay, Ortakent, Bitez, Gumbet and finally ends in the center of Bodrum.

There are two historical places worth seeing within the borders of Torba: The first is a mausoleum from the Leleges in the place known as Gebe (Pregnant) Church on the hill of Kesikli Mountain. The other is the Byzantine Church, which is located in Usuluk Bay, east of Torba, very close to the beach, and is estimated to date from the 6th century.

Leleg mausoleum remains, located on the route of the Leleg Walking Path, is 1 km. away from the path and has a 253 m. altitude so you can reach it easily on foot.

The restaurants on the seaside in Torba are generally facilities that provide beach service during the day and restaurant service in the evening. They are famous for their fish dishes and appetizers. So, you can eat a lot of fish in Torba.

If you want to have a daily boat tour, you can choose one of the excursion boats that depart from the fisherman's shelter and have a lovely tour around Golkoy, Turkbuku and Gundogan.

Old Churches in Torba

A large church and a multi-roomed guest house were also unearthed within the religious building complex in Torba which was excavated by the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology in 2000 under the direction of Archaeologist Aykut Ozet. It was understood that this structure, which is one of the two largest churches in the Bodrum Peninsula, was a basilica-plan structure with 3 naves.

The two columns in front of the entrance door of the church suggest that there is a triangular pediment above the entrance. From here, there was a front room and then two doors to the main areas of the church.

During the excavations carried out in this area, column bases between the naves, some column fragments and column heads with helical folds on both sides and crosses were found. It is understood from some carved plate fragments that the bema section in front of the apse, which is considered as a sacred space, is covered with marble balustrades.

Considering the plan, architectural parts and mosaics of this large church, it is estimated that it is one of the churches built in the region in order to spread Christianity in the early Byzantine period and it is the largest one in the area.

Considering the small port in front of the church at that time, it can be thought that those who came by sea visited this place as a sanctuary. A large housing building was also built for the people and attendants of the church.

It is clear that the building, which is the largest church in the region, and the priest's house are related to other churches in the surrounding area and occupied an important place among many religious centers built after Christianity was liberated in the Roman era. These structures were dated to the 5th-7th centuries AD, taking into account their architectural features and findings.

The Pregnant Church (Gebe Kilise)
The Magnificent Remains of the Lelegs

At Kesiktepe, southwest of Torba , there is a Lelegian structure dating back to 600-700 BC and which is thought to be a mausoleum by archaeologists, although it is known as the Gebe (pregnant) Church among the people.

This structure, which stayed intact due to its difficult accessibility, consists of a burial chamber. It is estimated that the monument was built in the 6th century BC, due to the ceramic pieces found in the excavations in the burial chamber. The Pregnant Church was built on a terrace wall. The parts of this wall extending to the north and east have been preserved at heights varying between 1-2 meters. Light brown stone slices with a diameter of 13 meters, resembling a circle in form, were used as ornaments. Judging by the rough masonry seen in other Lelegian settlements, it can be thought that great care was taken here and that it belonged to an important person. The roof above the ring wall, whose height varies between 1.75-2.75 meters, is in the form of a low dome. The burial chamber of 3 square meters, which can be entered through a narrow dromos (access passage), also has a very smooth outer surface.

If you are fond of history, you can add the Pregnant Church on the Torba Connection of Bodrum Leleg Road to the top of your list.

Transportation
Take a right turn at Torba junction 5 km before arriving in Bodrum. After about 500 meters, you can turn right towards Torba 's Church district. Boutique hotels and historic churches are found here. If you do not deviate from this road and continue, you will reach the center of Torba in 2-3 minutes. You cannot go down to the beach with your car in summer. You can leave your car in small car parks and walk on the beach.

Torba Taxi 0252 367 1229
Kaynar Taxi 0252 337 1294

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