Visitors paddle on a stand up paddle board (SUP) at the underwater archaeological park of the ancient port of Amathus in Limassol, Cyprus July 9, 2022. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou
LIMASSOL, Cyprus: Cyprus has opened its first underwater archaeological park, offering visitors a glimpse of history at one of the eastern Mediterranean's best preserved ancient harbours.
The now-submerged harbour lying off the ancient city-kingdom of Amathus was constructed between 312/311 B.C. and 294 B.C., when Cyprus was the focus of conflict between two sucessors of Alexander the Great. It was probably constructed as a naval base because of its narrow entrance, though experts say its combined commercial use cannot be dismissed either.
Over the centuries, it has developed into a natural reef where marine life thrives.
