The Pavlopetri is a small island opposite the homonymous beach, next to Viglafia across from Elafonisos. Pavlopetri belongs administratively to Elafonisos.
In the area there are archaeological findings that indicating that the area was inhabited since ancient times. Between the island and the shore is an ancient submerged city , aged about 5 millenniums, which is the oldest submerged town that has been discovered. It is a unique city because it has a specific plan with streets, buildings and cemetery. Was discovered in 1967 by Nicholas Flemming and mapped in 1968 by a team from the University of Cambridge. There are at least 15 buildings in depth from 3 to 4 meters and at the recent 2009 survey revealed that extends to 9 acres. There was originally estimated that the city was built around 1600-1100BC. but later investigations revealed by the findings that the city was inhabited before 2800BC, at the beginning of the Bronze Age.
The fact that the city was submerged helped to maintain current findings since was not built again or after the destruction of the area to be used for agriculture. Although the physical destruction of the water over the centuries, the layout of the city is as it was thousands of years ago.
The 2009 survey made an important contribution to map the city. It is the first town that rebuilt digitally in three dimensions. The sonar mapping with techniques developed for military purposes, but also for finding oil deposits, helped the recent surveys.
From October 2009 onwards, four more field investigations are planned in collaboration of Greek services but also international universities and scientists. These investigations will include excavations. One of the results of the investigations was to prove that the city was the center of a thriving textile industry Also, many large jars were found from Crete, which reveals that the city was a major trading port
The work of the archaeological team gathered in a video documentary of BBC 2, The city beneath the waves: Pavlopetri, which was broadcast by BBC 2 in 2011.
