Ships from Lake Nemi. Nemi, Italy

An overview of the ships of the ancient Roman emperor Caligula on Lake Nemi, in the town of the same name, and the Italian National Museum of Roman Ships located there.

National Museum of Roman Ships (Museo delle Navi Romane) in the Italian town of Nemi.

Let's talk about the ships of the Roman Emperor Caligula, which were recovered from the lake. Nemi (Lago di Nemi) and are now exhibited in the National Museum of Roman Ships (Museo delle Navi Romane), located on the mentioned lake town (about 2 thousand inhabitants), famous for its strawberry festival and bearing the same name as the lake - Nemi. Note that administratively the city and the commune of Nemi belong to the Italian capital - Rome, although they are located in the Lazio region, 30 km south of Rome proper. In turn, Lake Nemi is a small circular lake of volcanic origin - one of the crater lakes in the Albani Mountains (Colli Albani) located here in the capital region of Lazio.

Nemi - the name of the lake and the city comes from the Latin word nemus, which in this case means “holy tree”. In ancient times there was no city in this area, but the grove located here was the site of one of the most famous Roman temple cults - the Italic deity Diana Nemorense - the goddess Diana, who in the 4th century BC. began to be identified with the Greek goddess of hunting, fertility, female chastity and obstetrics Artemis. The sanctuary of Diana Nemi is believed to have been located on the northern shore of Lake Nemi, and the lake itself was also called the “mirror of the goddess Diana.”

The well-known eccentric Roman emperor Caligula (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, nicknamed Caligula - “boot”, born in 12 g . AD, reign: 37- 41 g. AD) had a villa on this lake Nemi, and perhaps it was in connection with the cult of Diana Nemi that this emperor built several very large and luxurious barges for use on this lake. According to research, one ship was a floating sanctuary for rituals in honor of Diana Nemi, or in honor of the Egyptian goddess Isis, and the other was a pleasure barge with buildings on it. After the assassination of Caligula, both ships were sunk as a result of a conspiracy.

As noted on the website of the National Museum of Roman Ships, museonaviromane.it, “Caligula's ships are a unique example of a ceremonial parade barge.

Similar vessels spread throughout the Hellenistic period in the form of both sea and river vessels, with richly decorated mosaic floors, roof gardens - real "cruise ships" in the Egyptian tradition...

Caligula was especially sensitive to the adherence to Eastern customs, adopted by his dynasty from their ancestors who visited the East, and of course, he was not indifferent to the form of self-praise that the ownership of such ships gave.

The first of the barges on Lake Nemi was a pleasure ship with a covered, heated pavilion at the stern and a pavilion and sanctuary at the bow. The construction of such a vessel here is associated with the emperor’s villa located on the shores of Lake Nemi.

The second of the barges was used mainly for religious ceremonies, as evidenced by the discovery on board of cult objects associated with Isis, who in the time of Caligula probably began to be identified with the goddess Diana, whose sanctuary was located in a nearby reserved grove.

It is believed that these two ships were used to participate in the navigium Isidis ceremony, a ritual in honor of the goddess Isis, patroness of sailors, with which the navigation season resumed on March 15 of each year,” notes museonaviromane.it.

Caligula's ships, which have always been known

In the photo taken on October 20, 1928, the then head of the Italian government, Benito Mussolini (fourth at the railing from the right), oversees the operation of the pumping station that the Costruzioni Meccaniche Riva di Milano company supplied to Lake Nemi during a project to pump water to retrieve ships Caligula from the bottom of this lake.

As the aforementioned website of the National Museum of Roman Ships points out, after their sinking, Caligula's ships were always "visible at the bottom in the clear waters of the lake and were the subject of periodic plunder and, since the 15th century, clumsy attempts to raise them from the bottom." So, it is believed that local fishermen have always known about the existence of these sunken ships of Caligula, at times pulling out small artifacts from them. To achieve this, grappling hooks were often used, and the items themselves were sold.

IN 1446 g. The influential cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and Lord of Nemi, Prospero Colonna, and an employee of the papal chancellery, Leone Battista Alberti, led the search for the sunken ships of Caligula on Lake Nemi, based on stories about these ships, which they discovered in the depths 18.3 meters (60 ft) However, the depth was too great for the ships to be recovered from underwater at that time. Although Alberti proposed an original method for raising ships when he tried to connect them with floating barrels. Although ingenious, this method failed due to extensive rotting.

During the enterprise, Alberti invited brave Genoese swimmers and divers, and then it was found that the skeletons of the ships lying at the bottom were sheathed with lead and the type of wood from which the ancient Roman ships were made was studied.

At the same time, the research of Colonna and Alberti caused significant damage to the sunken ships of Caligula, because Using the ropes with hooks already mentioned above, the participants in that enterprise tore off the planks from the ship’s skeletons lying at the bottom.

In 1535, an engineer in the service of several Bolognese rulers, Francesco De Marchi, reached Caligula's sunken ships on Lake Nemi with the help of a wooden diving bell equipped with a porthole - De Marchi's design protected the upper body, leaving legs and arms free and allowing breathing ( The researcher described his dives in the work Della Architettura Militare). De Marchi's finds included bricks, fragments of marble pavers, bronze and copper fragments, and large quantities of wooden beams from Caligula's shipwrecks.

Then attempts to study the sunken ships of Caligula on Lake Nemi were made in 1827, and later in 1895-1896. In the latter case, the work was carried out by the Italian state, namely the Ministry of Education and the Italian Navy. Most of the recovered material was then acquired by the National Museum, while the rest ended up on the antiques market.

In the illustration from the website of the National Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi museonaviromane.

The illustration from the website of the National Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi museonaviromane.it shows a model of Caligula’s ship from Lake Nemi.

IN 1926. The Italian state created a new commission on the issue of research and restoration of Caligula's ships on Lake Nemi. The commission included archaeological scientists and engineers, under the leadership of the former director general of the Ministry of Education (1906), later the head of a number of art galleries and a supporter of the fascist movement, art critic and archaeologist - senator from the National Fascist Party Corrado Ricci (life years : 1858 - 1934).

The conclusions of the Ricci commission confirmed the assessments made back in 1895-1896. Lieutenant Colonel of the Naval Engineering Division Vittorio Malfatti that raising Caligula's ships is possible by partially pumping water from the lake. The commission also envisaged the construction of a special museum on the shore of the lake. Nemi. And April 9 1927. In his speech at a meeting of the historical society Reale Società Romana di Storia Patria, the then head of the Italian government, Benito Mussolini, announced the decision to raise the sunken ships of Caligula. The water was pumped out and the wrecks of the ships, as well as numerous artifacts were recovered from the bottom of the lake.

A photograph from 1930 showing the wreck of one of Caligula's ships, then recovered from Lake Nemi.

To understand the size of the ship, you can look at the seemingly tiny figures of workers next to the ship’s skeleton.

bronze detail depicting a lion, recovered from Caligula's ship from Lake Nemi.

However, the National Museum of Roman Ships, built in 1935. on the shore of Lake Nemi for storing these barges of Caligula raised from the bottom, was partially destroyed on the night of May 31 to June 1 1944 . due to fire - during the last part of World War II. At the same time, it is unknown who caused the fire, whether the retreating German troops were located next to the museum, or whether the fire was caused by random people. The museum opened again in 1988. However, its exhibition now cannot boast of the authentic skeletons of Caligula's ships, because they were destroyed in the aforementioned fire. Regarding Caligula's ships from Lake Nemi, the museum now contains only a number of artifacts from the raised barges of Caligula, which were not made of wood, as well as those that were taken to Rome for storage during the war, as well as wooden copies made for the museum ships

National Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi today

A page describing the National Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi from the official Italian publication “A stone's throw from Rome.

A page describing the National Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi from the official Italian publication “A stone's throw from Rome. Museums of Casteli Romani and Prenestini" (areas near Rome - the Alban Mountains and Prenestini), Russian. language, approx. 2012

And then we give a description of the National Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi from the official publication “Two steps from Rome. Museums of Casteli Romani and Prenestini" - publication of the "Mountain Society of Casteli Romani and Prenestini" (museum society of the area near Rome - the Alban Mountains and Prenestini), jointly with the region of Lazio, Russian. language, approx. 2012:

“The National Museum of Roman Ships was created to offer the opportunity to discover the two imperial ships that belonged to Emperor Caligula, raised from the days of Lake Nemi from 1929 to 1931. Destroyed by fire in 1944 ., the museum was finally opened to visitors in the late 80s.

In the left keel block of the museum building today, materials and documentation relating to the frames of ships and their rise from the waters of the lake are displayed.

The right wing of the museum is dedicated to the cult places of the Alban Mountains, (ancient Roman settlements) Ardea and Satricum, with special attention to the sanctuary-temple of Diana Nemorense, which is confirmed by materials from excavations carried out in the 20s of the last century, as well as in recent times , from 1989 to 2013. In addition, part of the archaeological collection of the Ruspoli Palace in Nemi, coming from the temple or forming the collection of antique collectibles of the Ruspoli family, is also on display.

The exhibition has recently been supplemented by a colossal marble statue of Caligula enthroned, restored by the Financial Police Guard in 2011, discovered in the town of Cavalleria in the Nemi-Velletri area . This section of the museum is dedicated to the imperial residences of the Nemi-Lanuvio zone: here are exhibited materials found (the following lists the ruins of villas of ancient Roman emperors in towns near Rome Note website) at the villa of Emperor Caligula on the shores of Lake Nemi (the town of S. Maria) and in the town of Cavalleria, at Villa Antonini (Antonini means the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius Note website) in Lanuvio and at the Villa of Domitian in Castel Gandolfo,” indicates the publication “A stone’s throw from Rome. Museums of Casteli Romani and Prenestini.

In an illustration from the website of the National Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi museonaviromane.it:

interior view of the museum.

This review was prepared by the website using the following materials: the website of the National Museum of Roman Ships in Nemi museonaviromane.it (Italian); official publication “Two steps from Rome. Museums of Casteli Romani and Prenestini" - publication of the "Mountain Society of Casteli Romani and Prenestini" (museum society of the area near Rome - the Alban Mountains and Prenestini) together with the region of Lazio, Russian. language, approx. 2012 .; other materials.

Dedicated to all strawberry and wild strawberry lovers - Nemi (Italy), where dolce vita, or “sweet life” has a very specific taste and aroma. This is the taste of childhood, the smells of the forest and freshly cut grass, the little joys of the summer holidays, when every moment you want to exclaim “Stop, you’re wonderful!”
This is precisely the feeling that arises in Nemi, a tiny town surrounded by greenery, towering above the lake of the same name. Total in 40 minutes drive from This second capital of Italy is located - strawberry-strawberry. Nemi has been famous since antiquity for its wild strawberries, growing on the slopes of a former volcano. Thanks to the unique microclimate and fertile soil rich in volcanic ash, local strawberries are considered sweeter than commercially grown varieties. In addition to strawberries, in Nemi you can enjoy strawberries (also known as garden strawberries), blueberries, blackberries, raspberries: berries, the appearance of which is impeccable, are neatly arranged in small containers, in portions convenient for snacking. They are sold in numerous shops along the way to the main observation deck, next to Palazzo Ruspoli, which offers panoramic views of the city.

Although Nemi is a small town, it is quite possible to combine a gastronomic tour to strawberry paradise with a cultural program. This place is unique for its history, dating back to the 9th century BC, when the first settlements arose on the shores around the lake, the mystical Lake Nemi, associated with the cult of the goddess Diana, and the charm of country life with its unhurried rhythm and more relaxed, conducive to rest atmosphere.

The content of the article:

Where is it and how to get to Nemi
Nemi – a paradise for strawberry and wild strawberry lovers
Strawberry Festival in Nemi
Souvenirs and food in Nemi
History and sights of Nemi

1. Where is it located and how to get to Nemi

Nemi (Italy) is located in the Lazio region and is administratively part of the metropolitan city, formerly the province, of Rome (Italian: Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale), which includes the capital and 121 municipalities - nearby cities and surrounding areas.

Nemi belongs to the famous “castles of Rome” - Castelli Romani, a regional park uniting 13 towns located on the Alban Hills southeast of the capital. The area is a popular tourist destination and today, as in times past, is a favorite holiday destination for the Romans.

Accordingly, the best way to get from Russia to Nemi is by plane to Rome, combining visiting the Eternal City with a voyage to Castelli Romani.

From Rome to Nemi you can get:

by car - rented or order the service of a guide around the outskirts of Rome with a car. This is the most convenient and comfortable way, because... There are no direct public transport routes to Nemi. Travel time will be 40-50 minutes.
by public transport. First option: go from Roma Termini station by train to Albano Laziale station, change to Cotral bus, get off at the 5th stop in Genzano di Roma, a town in the western part of Lake Nemi. From Genzano di Roma to Nemi, walkers can walk (3 km) or take a 5-minute bus ride; Second option: go to the last metro station Roma Anagnina (line A), take the direct Cotral bus to Genzano di Roma (travel time is approximately 45 minutes), then proceed in the same way as in the first option.

2. Nemi – a paradise for strawberry and wild strawberry lovers

God, of course, could have created a more perfect berry, but he created strawberries, noted one English writer.

Strawberries, growing in the forests surrounding Rome, have been known since antiquity. The poets Virgil and Ovid, in particular, noted the Romans' passionate love for strawberries, despite their high cost. But not only the amazing taste of strawberries attracted the Romans, but also the beneficial properties of this plant in the treatment of many diseases. Due to their heart-shaped shape and red color, strawberries were one of the symbols of the goddess of love Venus and were used as an aphrodisiac and ingredient in cosmetics designed to preserve female beauty.

It’s worth making a reservation here right away. Strawberries and wild strawberries belong to the same general genus Strawberries of the Rosaceae family, the whole essence of which is reflected by the Latin name “Fragaria”, which means “fragrant”. When speaking “strawberry,” Russian-speaking people most often mean a plant cultivated by humans (we are accustomed to calling strawberries the large and juicy garden or large-fruited strawberries (Fragaria ananassa), grown in our dachas and at the same time the most popular for production on an industrial scale). In Italian (and also, for example, in English), unlike Russian, strawberries and wild strawberries are not separated at all. Both in Italian - fragole, however, there is a special word for wild strawberries - fragolina di bosco, or fragola di bosco. If you want to try wild strawberries, then be guided by this name.

On the slopes around Lake Nemi, two varieties of wild strawberries are grown - one round and one elongated, as well as the familiar strawberries with large berries (also known as “garden strawberries”). As mentioned above, local strawberries are considered especially sweet. My personal impression is some disappointment: the strawberries looked appetizing and perfect, berry to berry, but they turned out to be not as tasty and aromatic as I would like. Perhaps the whole point is that I happened to visit Nemi in mid-April, while the high strawberry picking season is in May.

3. Strawberry Festival in Nemi

Nemi is a wonderful place that is pleasant to visit at any time of the year. But those who find themselves here at the end of May and beginning of June will be especially lucky, when, after the harvest, the annual Strawberry Festival (La sagra delle Fragole) is celebrated.

The tradition of strawberry festivals in Nemi dates back to 1922. This is a bright and colorful event, including festive processions in historical costumes (women in wide red skirts and white shirts with black bodice), folk and classical music concerts, poetry readings, excursions, performances and entertainment for children. In parallel with the strawberry festival, a flower festival is held, the winner of which receives the “Golden Strawberry”.

The culmination of the festive week is the last day, which usually falls on the first Sunday in June: a large strawberry parade, free distribution of strawberries to everyone from a huge vat filled to the brim with berries mixed with prosecco, and festive fireworks after sunset.

4. Souvenirs and food in Nemi

What can you bring from strawberry heaven? Of course, a pleasant reminder of the trip is a souvenir in the form of a strawberry (magnet, earrings, bracelet, printed towel, etc.) or even the plant itself in a pot.

In addition to jams, syrups, marmalades and the usual dolce with strawberries - from tartlets to gelato, in Nemi you can try strawberry paste, risotto, liqueur and even pizza with strawberry slices. If you stop for lunch at one of the trattorias, try the local specialty - pasta with porcini mushrooms (funghi porcini), tastes excellent.

Lifehack fromY& C Italy: after walking along the picturesque streets of Nemi, grab a glass of cold prosecco with strawberries at the cafe (opposite the observation deck at Palazzo Ruspoli). A luxurious view of Lake Nemi and a refreshing, throat-tickling Prosecco will give you unforgettable moments in style.dolce vita.

5. History and sights of Nemi

Nemi is a charming and very “Italian” town, which is pleasant to walk around, explore the streets winding between low-rise buildings, admire the neat balconies decorated with flowers, drink coffee or prosecco with strawberries in cozy cafes and look into the shops where smiling sellers will chat, It’s like they’ve known you for a hundred years. There are splashes of red and green everywhere – there really are a lot of these juicy summer colors in the strawberry-strawberry paradise.

The area around Nemi was inhabited by people even before the founding of Rome. During the times of the Republic and the Empire, many representatives of the Roman nobility loved to relax on Lake Nemi. They say that somewhere here were the villas of Julius Caesar and his successor Octavian Augustus.

The town itself arose only in the 10th century along with the construction of the fortress. In the Middle Ages, the lake and surrounding areas belonged to members of the Borgia dynasty. Nemi acquired its modern appearance in the 16th-17th centuries. and since then, only cars and satellite dishes on the roofs of houses remind us of the signs of the times. Goethe, Byron, Stendhal, Hans Christian Andersen visited Nemi. The magical lake was captured in their paintings by several artists, including the famous British painter and master of romantic landscape William Turner.

The main attraction of Nemi, of course, is the lake of the same name. Lake Nemi of volcanic origin: the collapsed walls of the volcano crater formed a basin - a caldera, which then filled with water.

The name Nemi comes from the word for grove - nemus in Latin. Indeed, the lake is framed by dense thickets of trees and bushes, and the lake itself is shaped like a neat woman’s mirror, in which on clear nights the Moon is reflected exactly in the center. It is no coincidence that in ancient times Nemi was poetically called "Mirror of Diana"- on the shores of a magical lake arose Sanctuary of Diana Nemorensis(Diana Nemorensis), or Diana of the Forest, patroness of flora and fauna, personified by the Moon.

What can you see in Nemi?

Museum of Roman Ships (Museo delle Navi Romane) , the main exhibits of which are two ships built by the most famous (along with Nero) madman of antiquity, Emperor Caligula in the 1st century AD. Caligula's ships, equipped with sails made of purple silk, were palaces on the water - with marble columns, heating, mosaic floors and even mini-therms. It is still not entirely clear why Caligula needed such large and luxurious ships on such a small lake. According to some assumptions, they were used for entertainment and orgies of the eccentric emperor and his retinue, according to others - for the worship of the goddess Diana, whose cult was especially favored by Caligula (and, perhaps, both together). For centuries the lake kept the secret of ships that were sunk, most likely at the behest of the next emperor, Claudius, who wanted to erase all memory of Caligula, until they were discovered in the 15th century and removed, lowering the water level, already in the 20th century by order fascist dictator Mussolini. Unfortunately, the original ships were destroyed during the Second World War (only a few charred logs and some bronze statues remained), and today we can see not even copies, but 1:5 scale models. According to legend, there was a third ship, which has not yet been found.

Palazzo Ruspoli (Palazzo Ruspoli) – a castle-palace with a high cylindrical tower, dominating the space of the city, visible from almost any point. Built as a fortress in the 10th century by the Count of Tusculum (Conti di Tuscolo - a powerful Italian family that for some time controlled public policy, Rome and the appointment of popes). In subsequent centuries, the palace changed its owners, rebuilt and expanded to suit their tastes. Nowadays, exhibitions and concerts are held in some rooms of the palace.
Piazza UmbertoI(Piazza Umberto I) near Palazzo Ruspoli. Here you can sit in a cafe with a panoramic view of Lake Nemi and listen to live music. It is in Piazza Umberto I that the big strawberry parade begins as part of the Strawberry Festival
Ruins of the Temple of Diana Nemorensis. It’s hard to believe that this was once a large temple complex, decorated with a large number of statues, which included rooms for priests and pilgrims, baths and even a theater. The high priest of the temple bore the title Rex Nemorensis, or "king of the sacred grove", and a claimant to this title could appropriate it to himself by plucking a golden bough from the sacred grove... and killing the previous high priest in a bloody ritual symbolizing the withering and resurrection of nature. Local residents claim that the restless spirit of Rex Nemorensis still wanders somewhere in the forests around the lake, and advise walking along local paths with caution, especially during the full moon.
Church of Santa Maria del Pozzo(Santa Maria del Pozzo). Legend says that they decided to erect the church next to the well (pozzo), from which the spirit of the Virgin Mary appeared

Bronze statue of goddess Diana at the entrance to the city
Gorgon Medusa Fountain(Fontana della Gorgona)
If you come to Nemi with your lover, then do not miss the observation deck, which is called - Lover's Terrace(Terrazza degli Innamorati). The terrace offers a gorgeous view of the valley of Lake Nemi with strawberry plantations, which will serve as an excellent backdrop for your kiss

You can order an individual excursion in Rome or Castelli Romani by car with a guide by simply sending us a request by mail: rome@website, by calling in Moscow +7 910 476 34 33 or in Italy +39 334 8402086.

What is interesting about the town of Nemi in Italy? Annual strawberry festival in Nemi, Lake Diana's Mirror. What to see, photos and reviews.

The main thing to see in Nemi is the pretty Old Town

The population of Nemi is just over two thousand people. Life in Nemi seems to have stopped several centuries ago - all the same small shops where the hospitable owner will offer his best goods.

From time immemorial you could buy the freshest vegetables and fruits from the greengrocer, delicious cuts and sausages that smelled like spices from the butcher, you could buy excellent gifts for loved ones at the souvenir shop - and nothing has changed since then.

The architecture of the city is also not new - these are cute two and three-story houses, with small balconies hung with flowers. You may not find “world-famous stars” here, but the beauty of the local buildings is in no way inferior to them. All this makes Nemi a favorite among those who love a quiet holiday, without the noise of the highway, the roar of the big city and its eternal bustle.

However, these are not the main attractions of this place. Nemi is a real strawberry paradise. The hills surrounding the town not only form a magnificent landscape, but also serve as plantations for juicy, ripe, sweet strawberries. Thanks to her, the city became famous far beyond its borders. Local strawberries have their own special, piquant taste with a slight sourness. The original heart shape gives it a special charm. It is not difficult to guess which product the local specialties are dedicated to. Hundreds, even thousands, of strawberry dishes and drinks are waiting for you.

These are cakes and pastries that melt in your mouth, charming desserts, mousses, jellies, jams, salads, sauces, as well as cocktails, liqueurs, and wines. Even the most sophisticated gourmet cannot resist such abundance, and why, when there are so many goodies around? Each restaurant, of which there are a great many in Nemi, will offer you dozens of its own special, unique recipes.

Souvenir shops and streets of Nemi

Strawberry Festival in Nemi - a delight for those with a sweet tooth!

Every summer at the beginning of June, the main event takes place in Nemi, which attracts sweet tooths from all nearby settlements and thousands of tourists - strawberry festival. It begins with a kind of carnival, when the residents of the town dress up as strawberry pickers and, in general, anything at all. And they proudly march through the streets to the enthusiastic screams of the crowd. On this day, every square meter of Nemi is literally strewn with strawberries in all their forms. At every step there are trays and counters serving strawberries with cream, strawberries with sugar, and fresh strawberries.

At the entrance to the Old Town, guests are greeted by a huge bowl of strawberries, sugar and wine. Every visitor must definitely try the offered treats so as not to offend the townspeople.

Houses dressed in flower garlands, music playing everywhere, the clinking of glasses with strawberry wine, toasts and jokes dedicated to strawberries, the ringing laughter of passers-by - what else is needed to create a festive mood? And all this action ends with stunning fireworks, whose lights, multiplying, are reflected in the water surface of Lake Nemi, which will be discussed a little later. The holiday has appeared in the Italian calendar since ancient times, when the women of Nemi collected the strawberry harvest and went to sell it to the Roman market.

The Nemi Strawberry Festival (Sagra della Fragola) is held annually at the beginning of June. In 2019, the holiday falls on the week from May 28 to June 5. And 1-2 weeks before and after the celebration in Nemi you can buy the most fragrant strawberries in Italy.

Lake Nemi - “Mirror of Diana”

Romans love to relax near Lake Nemi

Another famous Nemi is the lake of the same name with crystal clear water. Our town is located on its banks. Many centuries ago, Caligula built famous palace ships on this lake, one of which was dedicated to the goddess Diana. The palaces sank but were discovered in the 15th century and brought to the surface.

The Italians themselves call the lake “the mirror of Diana” because of its depth and strong undercurrent. Many legends and traditions are associated with the lake, and it is surrounded by high mountains and dense forests. Here you can always take a break from the summer heat and plunge into the shady coolness.

Panorama of the town of Nemi

The main symbols of the town are strawberries and the streets of the Old Town.

Once upon a time there lived Caligula, who ruled the Roman Empire from 37 to 41 AD. During this short period of time, he gained the reputation of a cruel leader, known for his eccentric behavior and incredible orgies. Contemporaries claim that he was obsessed with constantly maintaining his image and sometimes implemented the strangest projects, sparing no expense. So, on his orders, three huge ships were built, which launched the small lake Nemi, which was considered holy by the Romans.

At that time, these were the largest ships in the world: about 70 meters long, 20 meters wide. There were stone buildings on them - almost like on the ground. Each of the ships was decorated with marble, mosaics and gilded copper tiles. The ships were equipped with plumbing and hot water flowed from the taps. Certain parts of the water supply were richly decorated with the heads of wolves, lions, and mythical creatures.

Can you imagine? I very much doubt that such ships could really exist. Let's dig deeper into this question...

30 km south of Rome there is a small lake Nemi. This place has long been associated with the cult of Diana. Rex Nemorensis was the title of the priests of Diana of Arricia, whose temple stood near the water. One could become a priest only by stepping through blood - having plucked a golden branch in a sacred grove, the applicant had to kill his predecessor in a duel or die himself. Priest candidates, as a rule, were runaway slaves and did not live long. Suetonius reports that when a particularly cunning and powerful priest “lived in the world,” Emperor Caligula personally chose and sent an assassin to him.

So, historical evidence: The ancient Roman writer and historian Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus describes these ships as follows:
“... ten rows of oars... the stern of each of the ships sparkled with precious stones... they had enough baths, galleries and salons, various varieties of grapes and fruit trees grew”

The ships were propelled by rows of oars and the wind, their masts carried purple silk sails. The ship turned with the help of four huge steering oars, each 11.3 meters long.

Panorama of Lake Nemi.
Caligula often visited his ships, spending time in various, not always decent, activities. According to some historical accounts, Caligula's ships were scenes of orgies, murder, cruelty, music and sporting competitions.

In 41, the extravagant Caligula was killed by Praetorian conspirators. Soon after, his "pleasure ships", launched only a year earlier, were stripped of their precious items and then deliberately sunk. In subsequent centuries they were completely forgotten.

For centuries, locals have spoken of giant ships resting at the bottom of the lake. Fishermen often pulled out pieces of wood and small metal objects with their nets. In 1444, Cardinal Prosperro Colonna, fascinated by the then fashion for antiquity, organized an expedition to Lake Nemi, headed by the then prominent architect Battisto Alberti, who explored the sunken ship with the help of divers and even made an attempt to raise the ship. To do this, a deck was built on many wooden barrels, on which winches with ropes were installed. However, with the help of this simple device, Alberti only managed to tear off and raise to the surface a piece of the bow of the mysterious ship. A century later, in 1535, Signor Francesco de Marchi tried again to explore the ship using a primitive diving suit, but also to no avail. A wooden frame was found, connected with bronze nails, covered with large slabs resting on an iron lattice.”

Researcher Jeremiah Donovan wrote:
“Deep in this lake lie the remains of what some call the galley of Tiberius, others of Trajan, but what actually looks like a group of buildings built on the very shore of the lake.

In 1885-1889, the British ambassador to Italy, Lord Seyvil, organized an expedition to Nemi and, using hooks, tore off many bronze items from the ship. At the beginning of the 20th century, underwater archaeologists discovered the hull of another ship. It lay close to the shore and was approximately 60 meters long and 20 meters wide. The ship, once discovered by Cardinal Colonna, was larger: 71 meters in length and 21 in width. Despite the fact that no written references to these ships were preserved in ancient writings, most historians immediately attributed these grandiose structures to the era of the mad Emperor Caligula, who allegedly used them as floating palaces.

Bronze sculpted heads found on ships of Lake Nemi.
In the 1920s, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini ordered detailed research into the mysterious object. In 1928-32. Considerable efforts were made to drain the lake. At the bottom of the mud, two ships were found: 70 and 73 meters long, and with them many bronze objects. The discovered statues and decorations confirmed that these ships were built specifically for Emperor Caligula.

Their preservation amazed even archaeologists. It became clear how the ancient large ships were built. Many items from that time were found and restored: pumps for pumping out water that came in during the voyage, several bronze items (animal heads with mooring rings), a statue of Caligula’s sister, the head of a Gorgon jellyfish, a talismanic hand that was nailed to the hull of the ship, the head of the she-wolf Romulus. One of the most amazing discoveries was two unique rotating platforms discovered on a small ship. Under one of the platforms there were eight bronze balls moving in a chute. Another platform rested on eight conical wooden rollers, also moving in a trough. Both designs are reminiscent of rolling bearings, the prototype of which was invented in the 16th century by the great Leonardo da Vinci. The purpose of these platforms is still unknown; it is possible that they were used as rotating stands for statues.

And on one of the lead pipes of the small ship an inscription was found: “Property of Caius Caesar Augustus Germanicus” - the full name of Caligula. There is no doubt about the owner.

Among the finds were clay pipes that supported the floor and allowed it to be heated. This proves that large ships were equipped with sophisticated heating systems throughout the ship. During the excavations, a bronze tap was found. He controlled the flow of water into the reservoirs. From there it was supplied through lead pipes to various needs.

A lot of nails were also found, with the help of which wooden elements were fastened; they were treated with a solution, which protected them from corrosion.

The ships were sunk under Emperor Nero or after his death, during civil wars.

The huge structures were moved to a hangar and a museum was opened. Unfortunately, during the fighting in 1944, the museum was destroyed and both ships burned down. The surviving details and bronze decorations can be seen today in the Museo Nazionale Romano.

Caligula's ship in the museum, 1932

The head of a jellyfish, found among the remains of one of Caligula's ships.

Half a century later, interest in Caligula and his ships arose again in Italy. In 2011, police said that “black archaeologists” found an imperial tomb near Lake Nemi and looted it. And just recently, a small lake again attracted attention. Local fishermen said that when their nets reach the bottom, they often catch ancient artifacts. Now the picturesque lake is revived again: scientists are using sonars to examine the bottom, and divers are looking for the third, largest, ship of Emperor Caligula.

Benito Mussolini at the opening of the museum

Giant ships of Caligula April 24th, 2017

We once discussed places... But now I read a story about another giant ship.

Can you imagine? I very much doubt that such ships could really exist. Let's dig deeper into this question...

Photo 2.

30 km south of Rome there is a small lake Nemi. This place has long been associated with the cult of Diana. Rex Nemorensis was the title of the priests of Diana of Arricia, whose temple stood near the water. One could become a priest only by stepping through blood—having plucked a golden branch in a sacred grove, the applicant had to kill his predecessor in a duel or die himself. Priest candidates, as a rule, were runaway slaves and did not live long. Suetonius reports that when a particularly cunning and powerful priest “lived in the world,” Emperor Caligula personally chose and sent an assassin to him.

So, historical evidence: The ancient Roman writer and historian Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus describes these ships as follows:
“... ten rows of oars... the stern of each of the ships sparkled with precious stones... they had enough baths, galleries and salons, various varieties of grapes and fruit trees grew”

The ships were propelled by rows of oars and the wind, their masts carried purple silk sails. The ship turned with the help of four huge steering oars, each 11.3 meters long.

Photo 3.

Panorama of Lake Nemi.

Caligula often visited his ships, spending time in various, not always decent, activities. According to some historical accounts, Caligula's ships were scenes of orgies, murder, cruelty, music and sporting competitions.

Photo 4.

In 41, the extravagant Caligula was killed by Praetorian conspirators. Soon after, his "pleasure ships", launched only a year earlier, were stripped of their precious items and then deliberately sunk. In subsequent centuries they were completely forgotten.

Photo 5.

For centuries, locals have spoken of giant ships resting at the bottom of the lake. Fishermen often pulled out pieces of wood and small metal objects with their nets. In 1444, Cardinal Prosperro Colonna, fascinated by the then fashion for antiquity, organized an expedition to Lake Nemi, headed by the then prominent architect Battisto Alberti, who explored the sunken ship with the help of divers and even made an attempt to raise the ship. To do this, a deck was built on many wooden barrels, on which winches with ropes were installed. However, with the help of this simple device, Alberti only managed to tear off and raise to the surface a piece of the bow of the mysterious ship. A century later, in 1535, Signor Francesco de Marchi tried again to explore the ship using a primitive diving suit, but also to no avail. A wooden frame was found, connected with bronze nails, covered with large slabs resting on an iron lattice.”

Photo 6.

In 1885-1889, the British ambassador to Italy, Lord Seyvil, organized an expedition to Nemi and, using hooks, tore off many bronze items from the ship. At the beginning of the 20th century, underwater archaeologists discovered the hull of another ship. It lay close to the shore and was approximately 60 meters long and 20 meters wide. The ship, once discovered by Cardinal Colonna, was larger: 71 meters in length and 21 in width. Despite the fact that no written references to these ships were preserved in ancient writings, most historians immediately attributed these grandiose structures to the era of the mad Emperor Caligula, who allegedly used them as floating palaces.

Photo 12.

Bronze sculpted heads found on ships of Lake Nemi.

In the 1920s, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini ordered detailed research into the mysterious object. In 1928-32. Considerable efforts were made to drain the lake. At the bottom of the mud, two ships were found: 70 and 73 meters long, and with them many bronze objects. The discovered statues and decorations confirmed that these ships were built specifically for Emperor Caligula.

Photo 7.

Their preservation amazed even archaeologists. It became clear how the ancient large ships were built. Many items from that time were found and restored: pumps for pumping out water that came in during the voyage, several bronze items (animal heads with mooring rings), a statue of Caligula’s sister, the head of a Gorgon jellyfish, a talismanic hand that was nailed to the hull of the ship, the head of the she-wolf Romulus. One of the most amazing discoveries was two unique rotating platforms discovered on a small ship. Under one of the platforms there were eight bronze balls moving in a chute. Another platform rested on eight conical wooden rollers, also moving in a trough. Both designs are reminiscent of rolling bearings, the prototype of which was invented in the 16th century by the great Leonardo da Vinci. The purpose of these platforms is still unknown; it is possible that they were used as rotating stands for statues.

And on one of the lead pipes of the small ship an inscription was found: “Property of Caius Caesar Augustus Germanicus” - the full name of Caligula. There is no doubt about the owner.

Among the finds were clay pipes that supported the floor and allowed it to be heated. This proves that large ships were equipped with sophisticated heating systems throughout the ship. During the excavations, a bronze tap was found. He controlled the flow of water into the reservoirs. From there it was supplied through lead pipes to various needs.

A lot of nails were also found, with the help of which wooden elements were fastened; they were treated with a solution, which protected them from corrosion.

Photo 8.

The ships were sunk under Emperor Nero or after his death, during civil wars.

Photo 9.

The huge structures were moved to a hangar and a museum was opened. Unfortunately, during the fighting in 1944, the museum was destroyed and both ships burned down. The surviving details and bronze decorations can be seen today in the Museo Nazionale Romano.

Photo 10.