Amathus: Underwater Cache
🤿 THIS IS THE 1ST CYPRUS UNDERWATER CACHE! 🤿
No special skills are required! Just bring a snorkeling mask. Cool down on a hot day and explore the incredible underwater archaeological park of Amathus.
👻 CACHE INSTRUCTIONS
1. To solve this Virtual Cache you should dive down by coordinates and find the sacred White Stone of Poseidon.The sea depths is approx. 0.5-1.5 meters.
2. The Stone will uncover your 3 DIGITS SECRET PASSWORD.
3. Send me the answer in PM to log the cache
⚠️Warning
- Send the answers only through the form. Don't spoil them in the comments. Logs with the spoilers will be deleted.
- Beware there is no lifeguard nearby, so be careful.
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🏺 History of Amathus 🏺
Amathus, one of the oldest city-states of Cyprus, has a rich history and mythological roots. According to legend, it was founded by Cinyras, the father of Adonis, who named the city after his mother, Amathus. It housed one of the most significant sanctuaries of Aphrodite, second only to Paphos.
Archaeological excavations in Amathus have uncovered tombs from the early Iron Age (1000-600 BC), showcasing Greco-Phoenician influence. The site also features the ruins of an Agora surrounded by Doric columns, a public bath, and other administrative and religious buildings.
One unique find is a massive stone amphora weighing 14 tons and standing 1.85 meters high, dating back to the 6th century BC. This vase is now in the Louvre, and on the Amathus archeological site you can find a replica of it.
Today, the ruins of Amathus are located near the village of Agios Tychonas, and many artifacts from the site are displayed in the Limassol Museum. Visit Amathus to immerse yourself in the world of ancient Cyprus and its rich cultural heritage.
🦈Underwater Archeological Park 🦈
Discovered in the early 1980s, the underwater ruins of Amathus reveal remnants of an ancient port along the city's coast. This port, constructed between 312 and 294 BC, played a vital role in both military and commercial activities during the power struggles among Alexander the Great's successors.
Designed with a narrow entrance, the port was likely intended as a naval base, though it also served commercial purposes. Key historical figure Demetrius Poliorcetes, after his victory at Salamis in 306 BC, led the port's construction. However, it was abandoned after Ptolemy I seized Cyprus in 294 BC.
In July 2022, the underwater archaeological park of ancient Amathus opened to visitors, becoming the island's first underwater archaeological park. This park offers a glimpse into Amathus's rich maritime heritage, inviting divers to explore its submerged treasures.
🏛️ Amathus Archeological Site 🏛️
- Entrance to the Underwater part of the Amathus site is free
- If you also want to visit the above-ground archaeological excavations, please check ticket prices and operating hours in the museum.
🏆 Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025 🏆
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.