It may be a bit early to think of holiday plans, but a month of lockdown has started many people dreaming. Due to probable travel limitations, Italians are being advised to restrict travel to the home base. Instead of going half way The across the world, this will therefore be a great opportunity to discover some of the lesser known marvels of Italy. The Marine Archaeology Park of Baia falls into this category. Strangely, it is not a world famous site, despite its submerged Roman palace, tumbled columns, paved streets and statues, situated only a few miles from Naples and Pompeii. Volcanic activity cause the coastline of Baia, which was once a top holiday resort for wealthy Ancient Romans, to sink, taking with it the imperial palace thought to have belonged to the Emperor Claudius, the luxury Villa of the Pisoni family (who defied Nero) and various monumental buildings. The submerged city was first spotted during WWII, when planes flying over the bay made out the ruins on the sea bottom. Eventually, it was explored by archaeologists. At the beginning of the 1970s divers recovered several statues on the sea bed. These have been replaced with exact replicas, while the originals are now preserved in the nearby Baia Castle Museum. The Park was declared a marine protected area and was opened to the public in 2002. Diving equipment can be hired on site, and trips in a boat with a sunken viewing compartment are also available.
Info:
Tel. +39.0815232739
