18th-Century Sunken Boat Discovered by Chance Under Sea in Croatia's Famous City of Dubrovnik
A sunken 18th-century boat has been discovered by chance near the majestic stone walls of Croatia's medieval city of Dubrovnik.
Ivan Bukelic was working on a water pipeline in Dubrovnik's old port back in April when he found a wooden structure buried in the seabed. 'I can now say I discovered a boat at the Old Town Dubrovnik,' Bukelic, who is a diver and undersea builder from Dubrovnik, said. He added the vessel was some 60–80 centimeters (23–31 inches) under the sea bottom.
A key trade port in the Adriatic Sea in medieval times, Dubrovnik has been declared a UNESCO protected heritage site. It attracts huge crowds of tourists, especially during the summer, and is also known as a filming site for HBO's Game of Thrones series. The remains of the boat in Dubrovnik's old port have been protected for further examination.
'We still cannot speak of the type of vessel or its dimensions, but we can say for certain, based on the results of radiocarbon analysis, that it was from the late 18th century,' marine archaeologist Irena Radić Rossi said. Radić Rossi said the aim is to continue with the research in cooperation with Croatia's Ministry of Culture: 'We must protect it for the future.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
18th-Century Sunken Boat Discovered by Chance Under Sea in Croatia's Famous City of Dubrovnik
A sunken 18th-century boat has been discovered by chance near the majestic stone walls of Croatia's medieval city of Dubrovnik. Ivan Bukelic was working on a water pipeline in Dubrovnik's old port back in April when he found a wooden structure buried in the seabed. 'I can now say I discovered a boat at the Old Town Dubrovnik,' Bukelic, who is a diver and undersea builder from Dubrovnik, said. He added the vessel was some 60–80 centimeters (23–31 inches) under the sea bottom. A key trade port in the Adriatic Sea in medieval times, Dubrovnik has been declared a UNESCO protected heritage site. It attracts huge crowds of tourists, especially during the summer, and is also known as a filming site for HBO's Game of Thrones series. The remains of the boat in Dubrovnik's old port have been protected for further examination. 'We still cannot speak of the type of vessel or its dimensions, but we can say for certain, based on the results of radiocarbon analysis, that it was from the late 18th century,' marine archaeologist Irena Radić Rossi said. Radić Rossi said the aim is to continue with the research in cooperation with Croatia's Ministry of Culture: 'We must protect it for the future.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
16-06-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Cyprus Receives Requests to Help Evacuate Portugal, Slovakia Citizens from Middle East
Cyprus has received requests to assist in the evacuation of citizens of Portugal and Slovakia from the Middle East, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Monday. 'There are two active requests,' Kombos told reporters. 'Obviously this very much depends on the access of their civilians to neighboring countries by road.' Last week, Cyprus activated a mechanism to assist in the evacuation of third-country nationals from the Middle East region if required. Its airports operator Hermes has said that dozens of flights from the Middle East had been diverted to airports in Larnaca and Paphos after most airlines halted flights to and from Israel following the start of its conflict with Iran. With Iranian missiles hitting residential areas in Israeli cities, many foreigners are seeking ways out of the country. Croatia's ambassador in Israel on Monday said 28 of its citizens expressed a wish to be evacuated.
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Arab News
Strategic reforms and cultural depth are driving Uzbekistan's tourism boom, says official
TASHKENT: As Uzbekistan undergoes an economic transformation, tourism has emerged as both a cultural ambassador and a powerful growth engine. At the forefront is Umid Rustamovich Shadiyev, chairman of the Tourism Committee under the Ministry of Ecology. Formerly Uzbekistan's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Shadiyev brings both diplomatic experience and a deep understanding of the nation's rich heritage. Arab News spoke with Shadiyev during the Tashkent International Investment Forum 2025, a flagship platform bringing together global investors, policymakers, and innovators to explore Uzbekistan's investment landscape. Now in its fourth edition, the forum has become a cornerstone of the country's reform agenda, highlighting strategic sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. This year's event welcomed over 2,500 delegates from 70 countries, with tourism receiving special focus as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development. Saudi-Uzbek tourism ties deepen The conversation turned to Saudi Arabia, where tourism is undergoing a historic transformation under Vision 2030. Shadiyev praised the Kingdom's diversification efforts, calling it 'a new center of global tourism.' Uzbekistan sees an opportunity for synergy, and a memorandum of cooperation in tourism was signed in 2022, followed by joint forums and high-level meetings in 2023 and 2024. 'Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is growing stronger each year,' said the official. The results are visible. Saudi tourist arrivals in Uzbekistan rose from 1,731 in 2022 to over 4,100 in 2024, reflecting growing interest in cultural, gastronomic, and mountain tourism. 'There's huge potential in developing family-oriented tours, heritage trails, and collaborative media campaigns,' Shadiyev noted. Tourism university exchanges, journalist visits, and influencer collaborations are also being explored. In 2025, Uzbekistan is emphasizing sustainable tourism and aims to increase the average stay of foreign visitors to 10 to 12 days. Strategic partnerships — such as with Saudi Arabia — are seen as central to achieving this goal. Tourism emerges as economic pillar 'Tourism is currently one of the key sectors of Uzbekistan's economy,' Shadiyev noted. 'In 2024, we saw a significant leap forward: the export of tourism services increased by 1.6 times, reaching $3.5 billion.' This performance is backed by a rise in entrepreneurship, with more than 2,000 new tourism businesses launched in the past year alone. From boutique hotels to eco-lodges and cultural tour operators, a new generation of investors is responding to supportive government policies and the sector's strong profitability. The transformation is evident across the country. Over the past eight years, Uzbekistan has attracted $6.5 billion in tourism-related investments and added 130,000 new hotel beds. 'These achievements reflect our commitment to building a world-class tourism ecosystem,' Shadiyev said. A major milestone came in April, when over 1 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in a single month — a national record. Shadiyev attributes this growth to visa policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and active global engagement. 'We're not only opening our doors wider; we're creating lasting experiences for visitors,' he said. Looking ahead, Uzbekistan aims to further increase both international arrivals and tourism export volumes in 2025. The government is systematically working toward these goals by investing in digital transformation, human capital, and diversified tourism offerings. Four seasons, one destination Positioned at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, Uzbekistan has long served as a bridge between East and West. Shadiyev highlighted the country's unique geographic and cultural positioning: 'We're the heart of Central Asia — no regional tour is complete without including Uzbekistan.' What makes Uzbekistan truly special, he said, is its year-round appeal. In spring, visitors celebrate Navruz, the festival of renewal, and explore blooming gardens, vibrant bazaars, and the historic cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Summer brings tourists to mountain resorts and natural lakes, rich fruit harvests, and traditional crafts festivals. Winter offers skiing and tranquil nature retreats, while autumn is ideal for cultural immersion and warm Uzbek hospitality. 'Every season offers a new story, a new flavor,' Shadiyev said. The country's legacy is underscored by its many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Uzbekistan is also witnessing a boom in niche tourism markets, including ziyarat, or pilgrimage tourism, ecotourism, domestic travel, and culinary tours. Uzbekistan's rise on the global travel radar is also backed by international accolades. The country was named the Most Desirable Emerging Destination by Wanderlust, UK; won the tourism in the CIS award from Russian Traveler; and was featured among the Top 25 Destinations of 2025 by both BBC Travel and The New York Times. Gulf travelers drawn to shared culture When asked about Uzbekistan's appeal to Arab travelers, particularly from the Gulf region, Shadiyev emphasized deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ties. 'Our shared Islamic heritage and atmosphere of religious respect make Uzbekistan especially attractive to Gulf visitors,' he said. Khiva's designation as the 2024 Tourism Capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation reflects this connection. Other key events include the Economic Cooperation Organization's tourism forum in Shakhrisabz, which spotlighted opportunities in religious and cultural travel. Uzbekistan is enhancing its appeal through substance and strategy. A 30-day visa-free regime now applies to citizens of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, as well as those of Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Direct flights from Gulf capitals are expanding, and tour operators are curating experiences tailored to Arab travelers. The country offers a rich mix of gastronomy — including signature dishes like plov, manti, and shurpa — as well as ethno-tourism experiences in traditional villages, and a vibrant calendar of music, art, and food festivals. Uzbekistan is also rolling out a UN tourism platform and a unified tourist card integrating visa services, tickets, and discounts. 'We're not just promoting Uzbekistan; we're building a seamless visitor experience,' Shadiyev added. Vision rooted in heritage and openness As the interview concluded, Shadiyev returned to a theme central to Uzbekistan's tourism push: openness. 'We are a country that welcomes the world — with history in our stones and hospitality in our hearts,' he said. The Tashkent International Investment Forum served as the perfect setting for this conversation, reflecting Uzbekistan's economic momentum and its growing network of global partnerships — none more vibrant than those flourishing through tourism. As Shadiyev put it, quoting an old proverb: 'It's better to see something once than hear about it a hundred times.'
