The Classical Roman City of Baia, Italy

The Classical Roman City of Baia, Italy

Lost Kingdoms, Sunken Cities

Baia was once the party capital for Roman elite. I like to think it was a little less Magaluf and a little more Vegas.

Similar to the Roman Baths in the UK, this city was popular for its hot springs and medicinal healing. Some of Ancient Rome’s most powerful figures such as Nero and Caesar are thought to have visited this city on numerous occasions.

The city was later ransacked by a Saracen army and further volcanic activity caused the water level in the surrounding bay to rise, engulfing the city and burying it forever beneath the waves.

Today, Baia is one of the world’s few underwater archaeological parks that is open to tourists. Glass bottom boats run tours over the archaeological site so don’t worry if you’re not a keen diver.

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The Pirate City of Port Royal, Jamaica

Lost Kingdoms, Sunken Cities

Once known as the ‘wickedest city on earth’ and home to swashbuckling pirates, Port Royal was a plunderous city in the Seventeenth Century. Today Port Royal is a little less lively.

In 1692 a massive earthquake caused a tsunami to hit Port Royal. Within minutes the majority of the city sank into the sea. Some considered it to be God’s retaliation in judgement of the towns barbaric behavior. Don’t mess with the big guy! The remainder of the city simply slipped into the sea but remained intact.

Since the 1950’s, Port Royal has been excavated and many of the city’s historical artifacts are on display at the Museum of History and Ethnography in Jamaica’s capital city, Kingston.

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The Mysterious Ancient Pyramids of Yonaguni-Jima, Japan

The Mysterious Ancient Pyramids of Yonaguni-Jima, Japan

Lost Kingdoms, Sunken Cities

This mysterious pyramid has been argued over for years since its discovery in the 1980 s. Many have studied it and where some believe it’s simply a result of natural phenomena, other studies suggest it is evidence of an advanced prehistoric civilization. I know which one I’d like to believe.

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The Ancient Lion City, Shi Cheng, China

The Ancient Lion City, Shi Cheng, China 

Lost Kingdoms, Sunken Cities

Ok, so I must confess, this isn’t technically in a sea or ocean but it is one of the most well preserved underwater cities ever to be rediscovered. Shi Cheng is in fact located in the beautiful Quiandao Lake (better known as Thousand Island Lake) in the Zhejiang Province of China.

1,300 years ago, Shi Cheng was a maze of temples, houses and arches that formed a political and economic centre, now it lies 130 feet beneath the surface. In 1959 the Chinese government flooded the valley, creating the lake in order to build a hydroelectric power station. Why you would choose to flood such a beautiful piece of history is beyond me.

Shi Cheng was forgotten for 53 years until divers rediscovered the city. It’s the size of 62 football pitches – it’s amazing they lost it in the first place!

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The Lost Kingdom of Cleopatra, Heracleion (Thonis), Egypt

The Lost Kingdom of Cleopatra, Heracleion (Thonis), Egypt

For over a thousand years, Heracleion or Thonis was considered to be a legend (much like Atlantis is today). It was home to Egyptian Pharaohs and it’s written that Helen of Troy along with her lover, Paris (if familiar with the film Troy, thats Diane Kruger and Orlando Bloom) visited this ancient city as did Heracles (who the city is likely named after).

Heracleion is a myth no longer after being rediscovered in 2000 by Frank Goddio and his team. To date they have unearthed 64 ships, giant 16 foot statues, gold coins, stone slabs inscribed with Ancient Greek and Ancient Egyptian and hundreds of smaller archaeological gems. Can you imagine being Frank Goddio on first sight of this astonishing discovery? His Christmas sure came early!

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