BlueMed Program Aiming to Make Greek Shipwrecks ‘Visitable’

The shipwreck of Kikinthos, in the Pagasitikos Gulf.

The shipwrecks of Alonissos and the Pagasitikos Gulf will soon be accessible to “visitors” following works carried out by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities under the BlueMed program.

The current phase of the BlueMed program kicked off in 2016 and will be completed by October next year, aiming to identify best practices for the protection and promotion of underwater cultural heritage with the ultimate goal to make such sites visitable.

The shipwreck near the islet of Peristera, east of Alonissos.

More specifically the program carried out by the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in collaboration with university partners from Cyprus, Croatia and Italy, diving centers and the Thessaly Region examined the shipwrecks of Alonissos and Pagasitikos.

Besides the underwater inspections and cleaning efforts on the pilot sites of Peristera off Alonnisos and in the Western Pagasitikos Gulf, the program aims to identify the sites of Kikinthos and capes Tilegrafos and Glaros, to be included as points of interest for visitors and divers once the diving parks open to the public.

The BlueMed research and innovation initiative aims to promote the blue economy in the Mediterranean through cooperation in efforts to create new jobs, social well being and a sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors.