The Sunken City is located in the bay of Agios Vlasios, on the beach “Kalymnios” of Ancient Epidaurus. Although not a huge site, the underwater city of Epidaurus is very unique and fun to explore. The ruins lie very close to the shore and just 2 meters below the sea level.
The architectural remains include traces of an ancient port, various walls and a cluster of three buildings, the closest of which is located only 45 meters from the shore. This is the structure you’ll be seeing when visiting the site. Archeologists believe these are the remains of a rural Roman villa from the 2nd century, which was inhabited by a wealthy Roman family and their staff.
The stone church of Gamla Uppsala, built over the pagan temple, dates from the early 12th century. Due to fire and renovations, the present church is only a remnant of the original cathedral.
Before the arrival of Christianity in Sweden, Gamla Uppsala was the seat of Swedish kings and a ceremonial site known all over northern Europe. The settlement was home to royal palaces, a royal burial ground, and a great pagan temple. The Uppsala temple, which was described in detail by Adam of Bremen in the 1070s, housed wooden statues of the Norse gods Odin, Thor and Freyr. A golden chain hung across its gables and the inside was richly decorated with gold. The temple had priests, who sacrificed to the gods according to the needs of the people.
The first Christian cathedral was probably built in the 11th century, but finished in the 12th century. The stone building may have been preceded by a wooden church and probably by the large pagan temple.