The Sunken City of Baia

The Sunken City of Baia was once a classical Roman city that catered to many of the empire’s wealthy leaders and other members of the ruling class. The abundance of medicinal hot springs created by the surrounding volcanic vents made for a bustling economy built on spas and hedonist activities. It was a favorite of the likes of Nero and Julius Caesar before Saracens sacked the city sometime in the 8^th century.

Once the city cleared out and only empty ruins were left behind, the volcanic vents began to overflow and created the bay that now sits over Baia. These days, it’s one of the world’s few underwater archeological parks.

Exploring the park is quite an adventure and, luckily, it’s accessible to just about everyone — you can scuba underneath the water, snorkel along it or view it through the bottom of a glass-floored boat. You’ll find still-active volcanic vents beneath the surface, along with ancient statues still on display. You can swim amongst them while peeking around what used to be packed full with visitors.

As an archeological park the main goal here is to preserve the remains for future generations while also protecting the environment. It’s important to consider this during your exploration and take precautions to avoid disrupting the environment. The easiest way to do so is to sign up for one of the local tours.