Greece’s first underwater museum opens to the public in Alonissos island

Greece’s first underwater Museum in Alonissos, opens on Monday 3 August through to Friday 2 October 2020, int.ert.gr reports.

Amateur scuba divers and freedivers will be able to visit the famous 5th century BC amphora wreck, at the bottom of the islet of Peristera in Alonissos.

A fisherman back in 1985, was the first to discover the ancient shipwreck, near the west rocky shore of Peristera, at a depth of 28 meters. It was a large merchant ship, probably Athenian, which had sunk there around 425 BC. It was loaded with thousands of wine amphorae from Mendi (ancient city of Halkidiki) and Peparithos (today’s Skopelos), areas known in antiquity for their wine. The pile of amphorae, which extends to the bottom at a length of 25 meters, gives the feeling of the contour and the large dimensions of the ship. The shipwreck is one of the most important of classical antiquity.

The excavation was conducted by the archaeologists and the staff of the Ephorate of Marine Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, who are in charge of the underwater museum for the public.

The impressive number of amphorae, the excellent condition of the wreck at a depth of 21 to 28 meters and the beauty of the exotic waters and the area’s rich seabed, located within the protected area of the National Marine Park Alonissos in the Northern Sporades, make the ancient shipwreck of Peristera a pole of attraction of every experienced diver.

The seabed’s mysterious world, nevertheless, is not only for the friends of diving but is addressed to all the visitors of Alonissos, who alternatively have the opportunity to enjoy the unique visit of the shipwreck, without even getting wet. In the enchanting alleys of Alonissos Town, the visitors are welcomed by the Public Information and Awareness Center, with all the information about the history of ancient shipwrecks. Visitors will also have the opportunity to virtually dive and navigate the wrecks like a true diver, with the use of the technology of augmented reality.

The pilot operation of the Peristera shipwreck as a marine archaeological site open to the public in the summer of 2020, is the result of the collaboration between the Ephorate of Marine Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Region of Thessaly and the Municipality of Alonissos.

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Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Giuliagi