Roman Salt Works Discovered Underwater Off Croatian Coast

The news in Croatian

1. podvodni
   koji se nalazi ili odvija ispod površine vode ↩︎
2. arheološki
   koji se odnosi na arheologiju, proučavanje starih ljudskih civilizacija ↩︎
3. solana  (f.)
   mjesto gdje se proizvodi sol isparavanjem morske vode ↩︎
4. očuvan
   koje je ostalo u dobrom stanju, zaštićeno od propadanja ↩︎
5. zaštićen
   koje je pod zaštitom, čemu je osigurana sigurnost ili očuvanje ↩︎
6. suradnja  (f.)
   zajednički rad dviju ili više strana radi postizanja zajedničkog cilja ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What equipment do visitors need to explore the underwater archaeological trail?

Question 2: Which two countries collaborated on the project?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
podvodni	underwater
arheološki	archaeological
solana  (f.)	saltworks
očuvan	preserved
zaštićen	protected
suradnja  (f.)	cooperation

Read the full story

An underwater archaeological trail has opened in Medulin, a municipality on the Istrian coast of Croatia, giving visitors a rare chance to swim alongside the remains of an ancient Roman salt works.

The site, located in Bijeca Bay, was uncovered through archaeological research and represents what experts are calling the first physical evidence of a Roman salt production facility in the area. Underwater archaeologist Ida Koncani Uhač explained that the bay saw continuous use from the first century BC until the beginning of the fifth century AD, passing through various production phases.

“This is the first archaeological evidence of such a facility, which so far has no parallels, I would dare say, on the Adriatic coast,” said Koncani Uhač. While written Roman sources had previously recorded salt production on the Istrian coast, and fifth-century sources mention salt works on the island of Veliki Brijun, this is the first material proof of such an installation in this bay.

The trail begins near the remains of an oil press, where two millstones have been identified. Swimmers then follow a Roman road traceable for around 30 metres before reaching an inlet canal that can be followed for approximately 50 metres. The route continues past a large warehouse with several rooms used for salt storage, ending at a canal that allowed seawater into the salt works system.

Koncani Uhač noted that the site is exceptionally well preserved due to its shallow depth and the absence of strong sea currents that might otherwise shift the stone structures.

Jasmina Ritoša Benazić, a senior adviser at Medulin municipality, said the trail is accessible to all age groups and requires no diving experience. “You only need a mask, though it can even be seen without a mask and snorkel,” she said. Guided tours are organised at the start of the tourist season.

Directly opposite the underwater trail sits the Vižula archaeological park, which is being equipped with a multimedia interpretation centre. Authorities believe both sites formed part of one large ancient estate.

The trail is a protected cultural heritage site under Croatian law. Visitors are forbidden from moving any archaeological structures, removing objects, or using metal detectors or other tools at the site.

The project to preserve and develop the site is part of a joint initiative between Croatia and Italy.