Parthenon among wrecks - underwater museum in Greece now open - film

On Tuesday, 1 June, the Greeks opened an underwater museum located on the ancient wreck of the Perister. The vessel is called the Parthenon among wrecks.

The wreck of the ancient ship Perister rests in the waters near the island of Alonissos. At last, the Greek authorities have finally made it officially available for diving. The fact that the Greeks refer to this site as the Parthenon of wrecks is an indication of how amazing this location is.

-- Advertisement --

This analogy should not surprise anyone. Apart from the period from which both monuments come from, they are also linked by their phenomenal nature. On the wreck of the Peristeri there is still a cargo carried by ancient merchants, which is nearly 4,000 amphorae! It is hard not to agree that such underwater sights, belong to the unprecedented.

Guided diving

If we want to dive the Parthenon among the wrecks, it will be necessary for us to follow certain rules. First of all, we must always be accompanied by a qualified instructor and guide in one. On the surface, the guide will acquaint us with the history of the wreck and the rules under water. On the other hand, during the dive, he will guide the group through the most interesting places in a way that does not pose any danger to the monuments.

The release of of such an amazing wreck as the Peristera is a real milestone. Previously, due to fears of looting and possible devastation, Greece’s underwater monuments were only accessible to archaeologists and divers with special permits. Now, any lover of underwater adventures can dive into the region’s ancient past.

A bit of history

Archaeologists discovered the site in 1985, thanks to indications from a local fisherman. The remains of the ancient trading vessel Perister, dating back to 495 BC, are found at a depth of about 30 metres. In addition to these, an awe-inspiring barge cargo of some 4,000 amphorae also rests on the seabed!

Both museum for diversas well as the whole region are located in the protected area of the Marine National Park of Alonissos – Northern Sporades. The local authorities have made the mysterious world hidden at the bottom of the sea accessible to diving enthusiasts, but also to all tourists visiting Alonissos. And that without having to enter the water!