Cavtat Amphora Site

On the Big Shallows (Velika pličina) north-west of the entrance to Cavtat bay lies the cargo of a 4th-century AD ship that carried at least 1,200 North African cylindrical amphorae of oil. It is described as the largest and best-preserved amphora wreck on the eastern Adriatic coast. Since 2001 the site has been covered by a protective iron cage so that divers can view it. Morays and small fish shelter among the jars.

Facts

• Region: Adriatic – South
• Area: Cavtat & Konavle
• Depth: 27 m
• Level: intermediate
• Current: moderate
• Type: wreck
• Coordinates: 42.5915, 18.2075 (approximate)
• Highlights: over 600 North African amphorae under a protective cage, moray eel
• Permit: Protected cultural good: may only be dived with a dive centre holding a Ministry of Culture and Media permit for this zone under the 2024–2029 underwater-activities programme; individual diving is not allowed and groups are limited to 15 divers per guide. Part of the Cavtat protection zone (Z-6531); the amphora cargo is kept under a protective cage. Check current rules. (Source: Ministry of Culture programme 2024–2029)
• Issuer / contact: Ministry of Culture and Media of Croatia (Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage / competent conservation department)
  • Phone: +385 1 4866 200
  • Website: https://www.gov.hr/hr/ronjenje-na-kulturnim-dobrima/1556
• Tips: Protected cultural site: visits only with the centre holding the Ministry of Culture concession (reported as Epidaurum). Check current rules.

Sources

• https://adriaticluxuryhotels.com/blog/the-deep-blue-treasures-of-cavtat
• https://blog.migk.hr/en/2021/12/06/underwater-archaeological-finds-in-cavtat/
• https://epidaur.migk.hr//locations/en/location_14/
• https://min-kulture.gov.hr/program-obavljanja-podvodnih-aktivnosti-u-unutarnjim-morskim-vodama-i-teritorijalnom-moru-republike-hrvatske-u-podrucjima-gdje-se-nalazi-kulturno-dobro-za-2024-2029-godinu/25860
• https://www.gov.hr/hr/ronjenje-na-kulturnim-dobrima/1556