Underwater Archaeological Park of Baia
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Underwater Archaeological Park of Baia
The Sunken City of Baia - a Magnificent Underwater Park
Most people know about Pompeii, the Roman city near Naples, but few know about Baia which was about three times the size of Pompeii. While Pompeii was covered in volcanic ash, Baia was abandoned in the 8th century and then submerged underwater. Today it can best be explored by snorkelers and divers. Just a few kilometers north of Naples near Pozzuoli (where Sophia Loren is from), visitors can visit the Baia Underwater Park. The city was once a lavish seaside resort for rich Romans and even the emperor Caligula. Historians today compare it to Las Vegas or Beverly Hills. On clear summer days, visitors can travel by glass-bottomed boat to see the ruins. There are also snorkeling excursions, but the best experiences will be had with SCUBA equipment. With the guidance of a local instructor, you'll be able to swim between marble sculptures and touch the mosaic floors.