Bodrum  is a district  and a port city in Mugla Province, in the southwestern Aegean region  of Turkey. It is located on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula, at a point that checks the entry into the Gulf of Gokova , and is also the center of the eponymous district. The city was called Halicarnassus (ancient Greek: Αλικαρνασσός) of Caria in ancient times and was famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausolus , one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World . Built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 15th century, Bodrum Castle  overlooks the harbour and the marina. The castle includes a Museum of underwater archaeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year. The city had a population of 36,317 in 2012. It takes 50 minutes via boat to reach Kos from Bodrum, with services running multiple times a day by at least three operators.