Atlantis, the underwater museum on the island of Cirella
2 minutes
Have you ever imagined being able to admire sculptures at the bottom of the sea? In Calabria you can, because there is a unique place of its kind: an underwater museum. To visit it, you have to dive into the sea and explore the seabed on which the works of art have been placed, becoming an integral part of the life that flows underwater.
Get your mask and flippers ready, you're off to the museum.
The Atlantis Underwater Museum in Cirella
The underwater museum is located in the Riviera dei Cedri Marine Park, specifically in the protected area of Cirella Island in the municipality of Diamante (CS).
Its name, Atlantis, evokes myths and legends linked to an ancient land, mysteriously sunk into the sea depths. The sculptures, set in the sand at the bottom of the sea, were created by artist Francesco Minuti (also the museum's creator) and are designed to blend in with the local flora and fauna, thus offering new opportunities to study and observe marine biodiversity up close.
The stretch of water surrounding Cirella Island contains ancient archaeological finds from the Greek-Roman period and is a precious treasure trove of natural beauty, starting with the posidonia oceanica meadows in which dozens of species of fish swim. For some time now, the islet has become a refuge for turtles of the Caretta Caretta species, which often decide to nest in this area.
The works of the Underwater Museum Atlantis
Diving into the crystal-clear waters surrounding the Cirella Island, you will be enchanted by an underwater landscape full of fascination and mystery. Francesco Minuti's sculptures depict faces and bodies lying on the seabed, becoming part of that underwater world. They are timeless creatures resting in the waves, in the silence of the underwater world.
These works of art were created with materials that are adapted to the marine environment and respect its biodiversity. The museum can be visited independently all year round, but one must make sure that the weather is favourable in order to snorkel safely.
