Underwater Museum Where You Can Swim Among Shipwrecks Opens In Greece

A town in Greece has just opened the country's very first underwater museum, with a whole host of artefacts from a shipwreck in the fifth-century BC available to view.

Located off the coast of Alonissos, in western Aagean, amateur divers will be able to visit the "the planet's oldest shipwreck that can be dived through by humans" from today, while those who can't dive can check it out thanks to a virtual reality tour at Alonissos' tourism information centre in the main town.

Dubbed the "Parthenon of shipwrecks" the ancient artefact was finally opened to the public at the weekend, causing much excitement for locals.

Speaking at the new museum's opening ceremony, Maria Agalou, president of the municipal council of Alonissos, told Skai TV: "This wreck lies at 21-28 metres depth near the shores of the Peristera islet and contains 3,000 to 4,000 amphorae" - which are distinct Greek or Roman jars or jugs with two handles and narrow necks.

Underwater, attendees will be able to view a whole range of artefacts, including a huge stack of two-handled vases discovered by fisherman in 1985.

These are particularly special seeing as most of them are in tact - which is an incredibly rare find.

The ship is believed to have sunk around 425 BC due to bad weather.

And it was carrying between 3,000 and 4,000 amphoras filled with wine from Chalkidiki in northern Greece as well as the island of Skopelos, Pari Kalamara, according to the director of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, who spoke on Greek broadcaster ERT.

"The amphorae are revealing the form of the ancient ship. This has been a big ship", she said.

"We are offering to the humanity the Parthenon of shipwrecks".

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The shipwreck is currently only billed to be open to the public until October, so there will no doubt be a surge of explorers rushing to check it out.

However, there are rumours that it will be open again in 2021, so keep your eyes peeled.

Soon, this won't be the only Greek shipwreck available for divers to explore, as authorities are also keen to open four more ancient sites, too, in the hopes of luring in more tourists.

Anyone fancy a diving holiday?!

Topics: Greece, Travel News, Life

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

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