It is a unicum of extraordinary value for its environmental and historical-archaeological characteristics. Right in front of Posillipo, in the stretch of sea between the village of Marechiaro and Punta Cavallo, the western limit of the bay of Trentaremi, located further north, towards the Phlegraean coast.

The underwater park of Gaiola with its 42 hectares of extension is the smallest of the Campania Marine Protected Areas, connected to the Archaeological Park of Posillipo of which it is the natural continuation to the sea. It also includes the ancient Euplea, the island of Gaiola, just fifty meters from the coast, which the work of man separated into two islets connected by a suspension bridge.

An integral part of the Phlegraean volcanic system, the marine park area and the surrounding coast, corresponding to the ancient volcano of Coroglio, were remodeled 15 000 years ago by the great eruption of the Neapolitan Yellow Tufo.

The conformation of the coast differs considerably in correspondence with the two islets: if to the east of them the Posillipo hill slopes gently towards the sea, to the west, around the bay of Trentaremi, high cliffs of yellow tuff rise. That tuff that for many centuries, since the time of the Greeks and then the Romans, was extracted to make building material. This is how the numerous caves that open on the eastern side of the bay were excavated.

That suggestive stretch of coast also became the setting for various seaside villas from the 1st century BC. The bradyseism characterising that area as well as the entire nearby Phlegraean area has led to the submersion of a significant part of the ancient structures. What remains of the rooms of the villas, with the fish ponds and the landings that accompanied them and the nymphaeums, is therefore located between land and sea and represents an important part of the archaeological heritage protected, at sea, by the submerged park and, on land, by the Pausilypon environmental archaeological park between the promontory of Trentaremi and the Gaiola valley. Among the main attractions of the marine and terrestrial parks, to which you can access from the characteristic Seiano Cave, there are the remains of the large villa of Pausilypon, in other words the "place where you respite from worry", of the rich Vedius Pollio, who on his death, in 15 AD became an imperial property and was further expanded. The odeon theatre and the reception areas remain of the ancient property and can be visited, while the maritime structures, the fish ponds and the landing place are protected by the seaside park

On the other hand, both the submerged park and the archaeological park are managed by the Gaiola interdisciplinary study center.

The Marine Protected Area has a variety of natural environments, including those that characterize the Cavallara bank, about 700 meters from the coast line and at a depth of 25 meters. The fractures that open up in the rocky bank create an alternation of brighter and more shady environments, which offer ideal conditions for the life of different animal and plant species. In shady environments, in particular, red algae of the genus Lithophillum is widespread among the sciophilous species and there are also the sponges. The reef features magnificent walls covered with sea daisies and, deeper, yellow gorgonians and leptogorgias. There are also numerous fish species that populate the tunnels, caves and submerged ruins, which are found at low depths: octopuses, white bream, damselfishes and gold fishes. And there are frequent morays, raised by the Romans.

To observe the archaeological remains and the naturalistic beauties of the submerged park, visits are carried out with a glass-bottomed boat. It is possible to snorkel and dive on the shallows of Cavallara and Gaiola.

The Marine Protected Area has zone A of integral reserve between the two islets and the central part of the park, then zone B of general reserve extends all around from Punta Cavallo to Marechiaro.


Information
Opening hours:
April 1 to September 30, Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 1 to October 31, Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
November 1 to March 31, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Costs:
Aquavision route: full price € 12.00; reduced for children under 12: € 10.00
Snorkeling route € 20.00
Reservations are required
Contact:
info@gaiola.org - : 0812403235

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