Once a lavish paradise of its time, what remains of the city of Baiae now lies deep beneath the ocean’s depths.
Once Dubbed “The Las Vegas of the Roman Empire”
As a renowned resort city for centuries, Baiae in present-day Italy catered to the extravagant entertainment needs of the wealthy and powerful elite of Roman society. Situated on a natural volcanic crater and thermal springs, it attracted many visitors seeking healing and wellness.
The city of Baiae located along the western coast of Italy.
During its golden age, some of the most powerful figures of antiquity, such as Nero, Cicero, and Caesar, were believed to have visited Baiae, with some even constructing luxurious villas in this enchanting land.
However, after being ravaged by war in the 8th century, this splendid city suffered heavy destruction, and its once-luxurious streets fell completely into abandonment. By 1500, as sea levels slowly rose and seismic activity took its toll, the remnants and ancient ruins of this once bustling resort city were tragically submerged beneath the bay, marking the end of one of the most prestigious retreats of ancient Rome.
Ruins of the premier resort city of the Roman Empire.
Submerged Beneath the Ocean for Centuries
Quietly lying at the ocean’s depths for several hundred years, humanity seemed to forget the existence of this city. However, in 1940, a pilot accidentally shared a series of aerial photographs revealing the remaining ruins of Baiae.
After gaining renewed interest from the public and archaeologists, exploration of the site began. However, due to Baiae’s unique location, only a few brave and determined archaeologists ventured to explore this underwater treasure.
Exploring Baiae is not an easy task.
By 2002, with the advent of modern technology such as 3D scanning, archaeologists began to conduct serious and thorough studies of the site’s ruins. They uncovered a series of magnificent architectural structures, including temples dedicated to various deities and public bathhouses.
Additionally, within an area of 177 hectares, there were monuments honoring Emperor Augustus, a statue of Octavia Claudia (sister of Emperor Claudius), and the god of wine, Dionysus….
Ancient Roman-style statues discovered in the underwater city of Baiae.
Subsequently, an underwater archaeological park was established in Baiae. Here, visitors can view the submerged ruins from the remarkable preserved statues of the city through glass-bottom boats or while scuba diving with specialized gear.
However, due to the geographical features of nearby active underwater volcanoes, Italian authorities plan to permanently close this archaeological park to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists.
