5 underwater cities that are hidden from the human eye
Natural disasters and cataclysms have repeatedly changed the map of the world, wiping out entire settlements and large places. In particular, big water has also taken its toll, which is why we can see some of the cities today, if not in the references of chroniclers, then simply underwater.
What underwater cities have survived to this day and where can you visit them? The BBC Bitesize programme tells us about them.
Baia, Italy
This ancient city near Naples was especially popular among the Romans. Even Julius Caesar and Nero had their own villas here and enjoyed the hot springs. However, it was because of them, or rather because of the peak of volcanic activity, that the city was actually filled with water. A process known as bradyssis took place in this place, during which the ground level slowly dropped by four to six metres, bringing most of the city underwater. Now, you can explore the underwater world by scuba diving.
Thonis-Heracleion, Egypt
This place was once known as a port located at the western mouth of the Nile River. Here, 60 shipwrecks and more than 700 anchors were found, as well as the The Decree of Saïs. This discovery is a two-metre-long stone tile engraved with hieroglyphs that outline a detailed scheme of Egyptian taxation in the early 4th century BC.
Derwent, England
The city of Derwent was deliberately flooded in the second half of the 20th century to create the Ladybower Reservoir. Work on its construction began in 1935, and by 1945, the village of Derwent was completely covered by water.
Port Royal, Jamaica
In the 17th century, this place was known as "the most evil city on Earth", where pirates lived. People here lived in brick or wooden houses, often up to four floors, and the population was constantly growing. However, on June 7, 1692, a powerful earthquake and tsunami hit this place and covered the city. It is believed that 2000 people died that day, and many more were injured. You can see what Port Royal hides with scuba diving after obtaining permission from the local authorities.
Villa Epecuén, Argentina
This resort was founded in 1920 on the shores of Villa Epecuén and flooded in 1985. The lake around the villa was constantly flooding and drying up, but due to a severe storm, the lake overflowed, breaking through the protective wall and burying the town under 10 metres of salt water. However, the water level has been falling since 2009, gradually opening up the villa.