Swim and snorkel above the oldest submerged town in the world… 5,000 years of history beneath you.
Just offshore from the remote south-eastern Peloponnese (Greek mainland), a 3-3.5 hour drive from the city of Kalamata but only 12 km from the small mainland town of Neapoli, lies the oldest (5,000 years old) submerged town in the world - Pavlopetri.
Discovered in 1967 and subsequently explored and excavated, this underwater town dates from 2,800 BC but the remains which can still be seen are Mycenaean, from between 1680 BC and 1180 BC. Located in the Laconia prefecture of Greece, Pavlopetri was an important trading port, a centre for textiles and, from its location, it controlled the entire Laconian Gulf.
The submerged town, covering over two acres, lies 3m to 4 m beneath the waves, and between the tiny islet of Elafonissos and the beach. You are not allowed to scuba dive there, but to snorkel is thrilling!
Pavlopetri is best explored as part of a Peloponnese fly drive. It is opposite the tiny island of Elafonissos, famed for its white sands and under an hour's drive (40 kms) from the atmospheric fortress town of Monemvasia on the south east coast. Sunvil can arrange stays at both.
