Cavtat Pythos Site

Near the islet of Supetar, at about 30 m, lie the giant storage jars (pithoi or dolia) of an ancient ship, each holding around 2,000 litres. Most are complete, two are broken. The Konavle museums date the wreck carrying at least ten dolia to the 1st century AD; another source says around the 2nd century AD. Finds like this are very rare in the Mediterranean.

Facts

• Region: Adriatic – South
• Area: Cavtat & Konavle
• Depth: 30 m
• Level: intermediate
• Current: moderate
• Type: wreck
• Coordinates: 42.5958, 18.201 (approximate)
• Highlights: giant ancient storage jars (dolia/pithoi)
• 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). 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: Part of the protected underwater archaeological zone in front of Cavtat: dive only with an authorised centre.

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://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