Bodrum Mosque and Cistern

Bodrum Mosque (formerly known as “Myrelaion Orthodox Church”) is known to be built by the order of Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos as a church for a nuns monastery around 920 A.D. Origins of the name “Myrelaion” which means “a place of myrrh oil” is not clearly known.

While the church and the monastery were being rebuilt in 13th century, due to the great damage they took during a big fire in 1203, the space beneath the church was converted into a grave chapel. 

The church also took damage during the Latin invasion and once again renovated in 14th century. Grand Vizier Mesih Pasha, who was originally born into Palaiologos family, converted the building into a mosque during the ruling of Sultan Bayezid the 2nd, in 1501.

The church is built mostly of brick. It is planned as a four pillared enclosed cross. The main area is covered by a high and windowed dome. 

To the east of the building there is a three sided apsis. Clover shaped cells exist in both sides of the church. The dome is preserved in its original shape and condition.

There is also a cistern near the mosque. This cistern located under the base of the Myrelaion Monastery Church is decently preserved until today. 

A grave room which existed in this location during the potency of Constantine the Great was later converted into this cistern. Although the exact construction date of the cistern is unknown, it is known that its operations were terminated during the potency of Emperor Constantine V (740-775) and it was put into service again during the potency of Emperor Romanos II (959-963). 

Due to these information, it is estimated that the cistern was built near the end of the 7th century. The interior walls of the cistern, which leaned on rocks from the southeast side due to field conditions, are built of stone. It is 28 x 22 meters in size on the west side and 21 meters on east side. 

Columns which have heights between 2,50 and 2,90 meters carry the upper vault. The Myrealion Cistern was found during mutual studies carried out by German Archeology Institute and Istanbul Archeology Museums Association in 1966.