Shipwreck Museum Travel Guide

The Shipwreck Museum, located inside Kyrenia Castle, is home to the remarkably well-preserved remains of a Greek merchant vessel that sank just off the coast of Kyrenia around 300 BC. Discovered by a sponge diver in 1965, the ship was carefully excavated between 1967 and 1969. Today, the museum showcases the ship's hull and its cargo, providing a fascinating insight into ancient maritime trade during the time of Alexander the Great.The ship itself, constructed of Aleppo pine, measures approximately 15 meters in length. Preservative lacquer and lead panels protected the wooden hull from marine organisms. The cargo included over 400 amphorae, millstones, and an astounding 9,000 almonds. These items originated from various Greek islands, suggesting the ship traded throughout the Aegean Sea.Visitors can explore the ship's remains and learn about its construction, cargo, and the lives of the sailors who once sailed aboard. The museum also displays maps, photographs, and artifacts recovered from the wreck site, further enriching the visitor experience.