What would possess someone to build a harbor in a lake? You might think it’s madness, but the Romans were not known for their lack of ambition! What you’re looking at, or rather, what lies beneath these waters, is Portus Julius. An engineering marvel, and a testament to the strategic genius of the Roman Empire. It was here, in the heart of the Bay of Naples, that Octavian, the soon-to-be Emperor Augustus, needed a hidden advantage in his war against Sextus Pompeius. His trusted general, Marcus Agrippa, found the solution: Lake Avernus. Think of it! A secret harbor, invisible from the sea, where a powerful fleet could be built and trained in absolute secrecy. Agrippa connected Avernus to Lake Lucrino, and then Lucrino to the sea by canals, creating Portus Julius. The result? A hidden naval base that took Sextus Pompeius completely by surprise, leading to his defeat at the Battle of Naulochus. Sadly, the victory was short-lived. Portus Julius, despite its ingenious design, fell victim to the very forces that shaped this region: volcanoes. The shifting ground and accumulating silt rendered the harbor useless. Today, the ruins of Portus Julius rest beneath the waves, a silent reminder of a bygone era of Roman might and ingenuity.
Fontana delle Conchiglie
This unassuming fountain, the Fontana delle Conchiglie, holds a secret. It wasn’t always meant to stand alone. Built in 1938