Diving and Underwater Heritage
Discover the Underwater Cultural Heritage of Dalmatia: A Digital Catalogue for Explorers and Enthusiasts
The seabed of the Split-Dalmatia County holds a remarkable wealth of archaeological sites that tell the stories of the Mediterranean’s maritime past. Through the Digital Catalogue of Underwater Cultural Heritage, available on the official website underwater-heritage.hr, visitors can dive into history .
This interactive platform offers a comprehensive overview of the most significant underwater sites in the region, including ancient shipwrecks, sunken architecture, and wrecks from more recent history and information about diving clubs.
The catalogue includes:
Modern-era shipwrecks – merchant vessels from the 19th and 20th centuries, often iron-hulled, now home to a rich variety of marine life.
World War II airplane wrecks, particularly in the waters around the island of Vis, which are among the most popular sites for technical diving.
The Battle of Vis (1866) – a historic naval clash between the Italian and Austrian fleets, with preserved wrecks such as Re d’Italia and Palestro.
Ancient shipwrecks, often carrying cargoes of amphorae, stone blocks, or pottery, offering insight into trade routes of antiquity.
Submerged architecture, including remnants of Roman villas, fishponds, and harbors now lying below sea level due to natural changes over time.
Museum collections of underwater archaeology, which make this heritage accessible even to those who do not dive.
A unique feature of the catalogue is the inclusion of local diving clubs, which offer guided access to many of these underwater sites. This enhances sustainable cultural tourism and helps promote education and awareness around the importance of preserving maritime heritage.
This initiative represents a dynamic intersection of archaeology, science, and technology, aiming to protect and promote Croatia’s underwater legacy.
The catalogue is designed not only for researchers and professionals but also for the general public — including tourists, educators, and history lovers.
If you’re looking to experience the Adriatic from a new perspective — through the lens of sunken worlds and submerged history — the digital catalogue of underwater heritage is the perfect place to begin your journey.
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