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BAIA
and MISENO
In the middle of Pozzuoli's
Gulf there is Baia, once the nicest and richest
resort of the Roman Empire.
Situated in a bizarre volcanic scenario, its beauty was soon
caught by Julius Cesar and Augustus
who established here there residences and followed later on
by Nerone, Caligola, Lucullo
and many more.
Baia became a land of gardens and luxurious residences built
by the most innovative building techniques. Baia and Miseno,
one aside of the other had strong connections at that time.
While Baia was an Emperors resort, Miseno was the base of
one of the strongest roman fleet, that found easy and safe
harbours in the volcanic lakes just behind.
But the myth keeps for Baia a more ancient birth being the
burial place of Greek hero Baios, Ulisse's
friend.
Abandoned during all Middle Ages, its myth
was still alive for the Grand Tour Travellers
of the XVIIIth century and it remained a sort of out of time
land until the new urbanization of the XXth. Still now it's
impossible not to be taken away by the fascination of the
places.
The visit touches Lago Lucrino and Lago
D'Averno with the Apollo's Temple,
the Diana's Temple, the Imperial
Villa of Baia, the Archaeological Museum
of Miseno Castle, the gorgeous Piscina Mirabilis,
the beach of Capo Miseno and the Pharo.
We do like to remember that the territory of Baia went down
about 6 m during the centuries creating the Underwater
Archeological Park where it's possible to admire
with a normal dive the rests of the noble Roman villas,
a unique show in the world: of the ancient port,
today submerged, it's possible to see 12 columns at a minimum
depth.
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