Greece’s Culture Ministry is moving forward with plans to open two organized underwater archaeological sites in the Fourni island group in the northern Aegean. The locations, Akra Fygou and Vathylakas, will soon be accessible to divers under regulated conditions, according to ekathimerini.com
Authorities are currently developing a framework to ensure visitor safety, safeguard ancient remains, and manage recreational diving activity. The goal is to balance public access with the protection of valuable underwater heritage.
Ongoing underwater excavations since 2014 have revealed 62 shipwrecks in the area, dating from as early as the 6th century BC through to the interwar period. These findings underline Fourni’s long-standing importance as a maritime crossroads.
The planned sites will include clearly mapped diving routes and controlled entry systems to prevent damage and overcrowding. By organizing access in this way, officials hope to preserve the integrity of the wrecks while allowing visitors to experience them responsibly.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to combine cultural preservation with sustainable tourism. By opening these sites, Greece aims to highlight one of the Aegean’s richest concentrations of shipwrecks, spanning from the Archaic and Roman eras to more recent history, while also supporting local economic development through specialized diving tourism.
Source: ekathimerini.com
