A military harbor built 2,400 years ago by one of Alexander the Great’s generals is set to become a new attraction at Limassol, Cyprus, but mostly for divers, since what was once solid land is now underwater, 200 feet offshore.
Built by Demetrius the Besieger, one of the heirs who took parts of Alexander’s empire at his death, built the port to fend off a possible naval attack by another one of the heirs, Ptolemy I, who ruled from Egypt.
To prepare it for its new career, specialist diving crews are clearing vegetation off the ancient piers and marking underwater routes that will allow swimmers to find it and return. Local officials are looking to build up diving tourism, taking advantage of the area’s clean waters.
