The inverted fig tree, found among the ruins of Baiae in Naples, Italy, is a peculiar and fascinating sight. Unlike any other tree, its roots do not anchor into the earth but instead grow into the ceiling of an ancient Roman archway, with its branches hanging downwards, challenging the laws of gravity.
The Strangest Tree in the World Defying All Laws of Physics
To this day, Italian scientists have been unable to determine exactly when the tree started growing in this unusual position, or how it manages to thrive. According to the website Storie di Napoli, the tree was discovered in the 1940s when the Baiae ruins began to be excavated.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, fig trees typically prefer dry, sunny areas. Their strong roots allow them to survive in arid conditions, making it plausible that this tree can flourish without much water. If visitors come in the spring, they may be fortunate enough to see the tree’s lush green leaves and even its fruit.
“We were very surprised to see a fig tree growing upside down. It was the highlight of the trip,” wrote one tourist on Tripadvisor.
More Than Just the Fig Tree
The Baiae ruins are a popular destination for history and culture enthusiasts. Once a vibrant resort for the Roman elite, Baiae was known as the “Las Vegas of Italy.” Part of the city now lies submerged beneath the sea. In 2002, the Italian government established the Archaeological Marine Park of Baia, which opened for tourism.
Visitors can take tours of the underwater city by glass-bottom boat or go scuba diving. The tours cost around $300 for a 3-hour guided visit.
To reach the Baiae ruins, visitors need to travel to Bacoli in southern Naples and then take a car or taxi to Baiae, which is about 4 km away. Naples, the third-largest city in Italy (after Rome and Milan), attracts nearly 4 million tourists each year, even before the pandemic.
The Mystery of the Inverted Fig Tree
There is still no clear explanation as to how the fig tree ended up in its peculiar location or how long it has been growing there. However, one thing is certain—despite its strange position, the tree continues to grow and occasionally bears fruit.
Fig trees (Ficus carica) are one of the first trees to have been cultivated by humans. Fossils of the tree were found in the Jordan Valley, dating back to 9,400 BC. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this gravity-defying tree appeared in the ancient Roman town of Baiae.
Figs typically prefer dry, sunny environments, and their robust roots allow them to thrive in harsh conditions. This tree’s ability to grow without being watered is a testament to the resilience of the fig species. The inverted fig tree is a clear example of this resilience, growing and thriving despite its unusual position.
In recent years, the tree has become one of the most visited attractions at Baiae, showing that nature often holds mysterious wonders that humans can scarcely imagine.
The Ancient Land
During its golden age, Baiae was a lively and fashionable resort for the Roman elite. Today, one-fifth of the city is submerged under water. The underwater archaeological park is described by archaeologists as a place where emperors like Augustus, Caesar, and Nero once resided.
Baiae is also situated in a volcanic region, where geothermal and seismic activity over centuries has caused much of the city to sink beneath the sea.
The discovery of Baiae’s underwater ruins came as a surprise. In the 1940s, a pilot flying over the waters near Naples noticed something unusual beneath the waves. While the photos taken by the pilot suggested the presence of structures, it wasn’t until two decades later that researchers used submarines to explore the sunken ancient city.
Not only can visitors see the famous inverted fig tree among the Roman ruins above the ground at the Parco Archeologico delle Terme di Baia, but they can also explore the submerged city below the water through glass-bottom boat tours of the ancient archaeological sites.
