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In Northern Cyprus, inside the Kyrenia fortress, there is an ancient ship - the oldest of ships ever raised from the seabed. The age of the vessel is very honorable - more than 2500 years. Like a mosaic, the ship was recreated from 6000 individual parts, covering the seabed along the coast of Kyrenia. And besides the ship, a cargo cargo was also found: several hundred amphorae with wine and almonds.

The results of the research showed that the vessel found gravitates to the reign of Alexander the Great. In the past, it was a merchant ship cruising along the coast of modern Turkey and between the Greek islands of Kos, Rhodes and Samos.

The fragments of the so-called Kireni ship were discovered in 1968. For the first time they saw a local scuba diver - a collector of sea shells. He immediately reported the finding to the appropriate authority of the archaeological institute, and the scientists immediately reacted. Work on lifting the vessel to the surface lasted several years with the participation of foreign specialists and the latest technologies. The expedition was conducted under the guidance of the team of the University of Pennsylvania in the US

Immediately before the extraction of the ship's parts from the sea, they were thoroughly washed under running fresh water, and then processed with a special preservative. Thus, step by step, the skeleton of the old vessel was recreated. By the way, the reconstruction works were completed only in 1974. And after the ship they took a special room in the Kireni fortress, where it is still safely stored in conditions of strictly established temperature regime and humidity.

The results of the research showed that the vessel found gravitates towards the times of the reign of Alexander the Great . In the past it was a merchant ship cruising along the coast of modern Turkey and between the Greek islands of Kos, Rhodes and Samos . Judging by the dishes found on board, The conclusion was that the crew of the ship consisted of four people . The traders transported wine, oil and nuts: on board the ship, about 400 Greek Greek amphoras were found . In addition, lead sinkers for fishing nets, granite blocks for ballast, a bronze cauldron for cooking . Also it was found out that at the time of the crash the vessel was by no means new and had plowed the seas for several decades . The reason for the collapse of the antique ship was the rotten bottom of the hold .

In the preservation of the Kireinian there is a big ship merit seashells. For several millennia, they completely covered the surface of the wood, thereby protecting it from rot.

The dimensions of the Kryeni ship are very modest: 14 m in length and 4, 4 m in width. It is known that the ship had one mast and, therefore, sailed. By the way, the rings, through which the sail was attached to the rims, also survived. The vessel could develop a speed of up to 5 sea knots, that is, about 9 km / h.

Museum of the ancient ship in Kyrenia

Practical information

The Kyrenia Fortress is located in the northern part of the city on the coast near the central harbor and bus station. The walls of the fortress are visible from afar and they are difficult to confuse with anything. The distance from the bus station to the fortress can be reached on foot in five minutes.

Address: Girne, Kupdemir Sk., Kyrenia Castle.

Tel .: +90 (392) 227-29-16.

Working time: daily from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00, except on holidays.

Cost of entry: 12 TRL.