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Everyone always talks about the shipwreck on Navagio beach, but did you know there’s another interesting shipwreck in the waters around Zakynthos? In the 1980s a twenty-metre-long 16th-century shipwreck was discovered just a few kilometres off the coast of Zakynthos, by local speargun fishermen. At the time it was further studied by Greek and Oxford University archaeologists and scientists.
It’s thought that the shipwreck dates back to the era of Philip II of Spain and was part of one of the most important sea battles, the naval battle of Nafpaktos, in 1571. During excavations of the ship silver coins and an engraved pistol handle were discovered. Other items uncovered were chinaware, plates and even preserved hazelnuts!
In subsequent years archaeological excavations have taken place, notably in 2013 and 2020, to see what more information could be found out about this ancient vessel. In the most recent study in 2020, the General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage conducted a month-long survey. The studies focussed on the central section of the ship, and they uncovered the keelson and mid-deck.
Remarkably the ship frame survived for many centuries due to the methods of building at the time and it’s given experts a great glimpse of ships of this era. A 3D profile for a 3D rendering is being done of the ship too and the vessel will remain where it is as per UNESCO guidance, which has requested the ship remain where it is for its protection.
