The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works of Cyprus announced this August that the underwater works and digital mapping of the ancient port of Amathous was completed under the framework of the European cross-border programme with the acronym ANDIKAT. The programme aims to highlight and promote the underwater archaeological and natural heritage through the creation of diving routes in marine protected areas in Greece and Cyprus.

The next stage of promoting this unique underwater ancient monument includes the installation of signs both on land and in the sea, which will inform and guide the visitor of the ancient port of Amathous, as well as the development of a mobile phone application and the publication of an information brochure.

Amathus or Amathous (Ancient Greek: Ἀμαθοῦς) was an ancient city and one of the ancient royal cities of Cyprus until about 300 BC. Some of its impressive remains can be seen today on the southern coast in front of Agios Tychonas, about 24 miles (39 km) west of Larnaca and 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Limassol. Its ancient cult sanctuary of Aphrodite was the second most important in Cyprus, her homeland, after Paphos.

Colorized image of the artificial harbour with the three parts, two of which are perpendicular and one almost parallel to the coast.

Construction of the Ancient Port

The Port of Amathus (or Amathous) was probably constructed during the period of Demetrius Poliorcetes for his fleet. Whether this project was completed as planned or not is not known as various sources suggest that the port was not used except maybe for a few years. Three moles of around 380 meters where build forming a almost closed harbour. 5000 blocks were used each having a weight of around 3 tons tons. Each block was 3 meters long and 0.8 m wide. The artificial harbour provided a protection for the ships from the sometimes strong south wind. These blocks formed the center of each mole.