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New - Panoramic view of Bodrum
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Bitez, from private, stunning view
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Osman miniatures
To start with, whatever is offered to you as a miniature here or in Istanbul, even if it looks genuine and old
- is not original. In fact there were only a few painters employed by the Sultans and all originals are well kept
in the museums.
But as a distinctive decoration, it will still look nice. It is highly praise worthy that the old art of the miniature
painting has again been taken up in the universities of fine arts and is taught in this country. Old book pages
are nowadays used for painting on, in order to maintain the antique character. A part of the page, where the picture
has to be is covered first with opaque white. If you want to test the authenticity, hold the miniature up against
the light and you will see the dark patck painted over the old text. The Turkish tradition to illustrate manuscripts
existed during the cultural period before the arrival of Islamic belief.
About this subject we have prepared a lot of information for you. Just make a note in your Mail for Miniatures
to us and we will send you detailed info. 
Mail to us
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Turkish carpets
First in general, what is it we call a carpet? In Turkey we differentiate between the knotted carpet, which is
called HALI, and the woven carpet, the KILIM. Carpets are are the most well-known souvenirs you can bring home
from Turkey. And even if you have had just the bad luck of being cheated, they are still a lot cheaper than in
your own country.
A serious seller tells you and informs you about some basic values in carpet making. The closer together and tighter
the knotting, the finer, stronger and more precious the carpets beomes. The number of knots varies from 150,000
per sq. mt. to 1,000,000 per sq. mt. in the finest silk carpets. Thus, a 1,5 to 2 mt. carpets can take from 3 months
to one year to complete. In the villages around Bodrum, Milas and Mumcular, rugs are still woven by hand in the
traditional way.
A well made carpet can last for well over a hundred of years but it should be cherished correctly as a piece of
art
Attention: as we are getting every year a few emails from people who bought a carpet on one of the bus tours
here in Turkey and they never got their carpets, though it was promised to send, We can not help(!) - but
we advice that you should buy only at serious shops in town.
One address we will give here: Mehmet Cengel; in the center of the town, on the entrance to the harbour; (0252)
316 1747
Copperware
In Turkey there are still hand-made copper goods, of the type, which long ago - was made by the workman at the
corner. You can still watch this being done in the environment of the closed Bazars in Istanbul. In addition, in
near Bodrum there is such a copper village (or Bakirköy - as one says here). The village is called Kavaklidere,
and is approximatel about 100 km to the East of Bodrum near the city of Yatagan.
Genuine Fake Watches
Genuine fake watches - they are really advertised like that and its always amazing how "genuine" these
copies are looking.
So why not bring your boss one "Rolex" home and say this is your "THANK YOU" for the last holiday.
Textiles and leather
Products of the natural raw materials leather and cotton are traditionally sold in the shops of Turkey. Cotton
is cultivated everywhere in Turkey, so that Turkey is in fact third biggest producer of cotton in the world. Travelling
inland and passing Ephesus or Kaunos you will see many cotton fields. Pamuk is the Turkish word for cotton. The
harvest is in September - October. Everything related can also be seen in the Bodrum Video
Meerschaum pipes
Carving pipes out of the natural material meerschaum has a long tradition in Turkey. Already in Ottoman times these
pipes were wellknown all over the world. Originally this special skill is based in the town of Eskisehir.
In Gümüslük you can also watch the art of pipe making here using the material "meerschaum"
which being porous absorbes nikotine very well.
Good to be seen in the Bodrum Video
Sandals - Hand made in Bodrum
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Skilled artisans can make you a pair of snugly fitting leather sandals in the traditional Aegean
style. You will find craftsmen in the centre of Bodrum - like Ali Usta and others. You can either order or try
one of the pairs they have in stock.
Sandal making has a very old tradition in Bodrum. More then thirty years ago out of a native interest in Roman
sandals some *shoe-makers* started the craft. Today these sandals, which can be considered as pieces of art, carrying
old time history to modern people's feet.
Waterpipe - the nargile
To smoke a waterpipe it's a real ceremony. The Nargile, as this Turkish pipe is called often
find up to four man sitting around and using the same pipe. Tobacco, or better only the best leafes of tobacco
are laid on the pipe and then topped with a piece of hot charcoal. The water in the pipe cools it down and absorbs
the nicotine very well.
The Boncuk
There is one typical item, an equity of this region you should take home as a souvenier, it's called the Boncuk,
the Little Magic Stone that protects one  from the *Evil Eye* turkish=boncuk (pronounced 'bon-dschuk'), you
will see this blue glass piece everywhere here in this area.
But read the BONCUK Story first.
Ceramics from Kütahya
This wonderful blue on plates and tiles you'll find mainly on the ceramic articles from the
central Turkish city Kütahya. Very often you will see samples that show the tulip motif, which dates from
the time when this flower originating in Persia became known around the world.
Market day in and around Bodrum
Every Tuesday there is a cloth market and every Friday, here is a market with fruit and vegetables in Bodrum. Traders
and farmers come to Bodrum to sell their produce. This ranges from all kinds of fruits and vegetables to imitation
Rolex watches and items of clothing. good to watch as well in the video
It is well worth a visit and you should try to bargain before buying anything. details
of all market days
 back to top
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 the castle of St. Peter, landmark from
all points of view
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In Bodrum you may find oriental style ceramics in OASIS center at
the Pashabahce store
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Send a Bodrum Postcard
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