WRECKS4ALL: Development of Diving Tourism and Protection of Underwater Heritage with EU Support

Where is the cockpit of the German Air Force “Stuka” hidden? What does the wreckage of the ship “Dag,” which was destroyed by an underwater mine in front of Bar in 1915, look like today?

These and many other “underwater” insights hidden at the bottom of the Adriatic Sea can be discovered through virtually diving, thanks to equipment obtained as part of the WRECKS4ALL project funded by the European Union.

The WRECKS4ALL project has enabled the citizens of Montenegro and tourists to virtually explore important historical wrecks on the seabed and hear stories about exciting historical events.

“This project has contributed to the development of infrastructure and capacity to further digitise the underwater cultural heritage through the establishment of a research unit at the University of Montenegro,” emphasises underwater archaeologist Darko Kovačević.

According to Kovačević, the EU’s support was crucial, not only through project financing but also by looking at successful models of best practices and providing various types of support during their implementation.

“We are grateful that the European Union recognises the capacity and importance of developing these sectors and supports the application of innovative digital technologies as mechanisms for promoting and raising awareness of the importance of preserving underwater cultural heritage sites as resources for socio-economic growth and cultural cohesion in cross-border regions,” Kovačević points out.

The development of the Laboratory for Maritime Archaeology and WRECKS4ALL VR equipment at the Maritime Faculty in Kotor ensures the sustainability of project results and their further enhancement.

“We will continue with future activities related to the development of sectors related to underwater cultural heritage in accordance with the best European practices for protection and promotion, with the aim of encouraging various socio-economic benefits in coastal areas,” concludes Kovačević.

The WRECKSFORALL project was supported by the European Union through the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro 2014-2020.

The main goal of the project was to contribute to the strengthening and diversification of the touristic offers based on the underwater cultural heritage of the Eastern Adriatic region. The project was implemented by partners from Montenegro, namely the UCG/PF Kotor (project coordinator) and the Tourist Organisation of the Municipality of Bar; from Croatia, namely the University of Split/Maritime Faculty and the Croatian Maritime Museum Split, and from Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Tourist Board of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton/County.