Dive for Peace
Held as part of the 2026 European Heritage Days, this event also coincides with the International Day of Peace. This observance was established by the United Nations (UN) in 1981 and is celebrated annually on September 21; this year’s theme is “Investing in Peace—For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
Originally, the international “Dive for Peace” event was an initiative promoted by UNESCO from 2014 to 2018, around the time of the centennial of World War I, and within the framework of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, with the goal of commemorating the maritime tragedies of World War I and transforming them into opportunities for learning, reflection, and peace.
The “Dive for Peace” event includes two conferences on September 19 and a dive at the archaeological site of the “Thermopylae” wreck on September 20. Speakers Augusto Salgado, Jorge Freire, and António Fialho will address topics including the history of the Thermopylae and its sinking, its identification, research, and proposals for its preservation and enhancement.
Registration for the conference via the dedicated form, HERE.
Information: 911 995 637 (call to the national mobile network) | on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Organized by: Cascais City Council
Saturday, September 19, 2026 (advance registration required)
Location:
Cascais Cultural Center Auditorium
3:00 p.m. – Reception and Opening
3:30 p.m. – Lecture “The Inglorious (or Perhaps Not) End of the NE Pedro Nunes/Thermopylae” by Augusto Salgado
4:00 p.m. – Lecture “Past with a Future – Research and Preservation of the Thermopylae Shipwreck Site (1907)” by Jorge Freire and António Fialho
4:30 p.m. – Briefing on the next day’s activities
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Locations:
- Cascais Marina guest dock (for guests traveling aboard the “Estou para Ver”)
- Cascais Naval Club and Oeiras Marina (for outings with the Diving Centers)
9:00 a.m. – Boarding the “Estou para Ver” and safety briefing
10:30 a.m. – Dive at NE Pedro Nunes/Thermopylae accompanied by an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle)
11:30 a.m. – Return to Cascais Marina
In the words of the UN,, “We know that peace is much more than a world free of war. Peace is synonymous with resilient and stable societies, where everyone can thrive and enjoy their fundamental freedoms rather than having to struggle to meet their basic needs.
Today, in the face of overwhelming volatility, the pursuit of peace seems like a monumental task—but it has never been more urgent.
Peace is more than the absence of war; it is the necessary foundation for us to collectively face humanity’s challenges. It is the concrete experience of security, dignity, opportunities, and cooperation in our daily lives.”
In this sense, integration through culture is undoubtedly one of the cornerstones for achieving this goal.
The original “Dive for Peace” event was an initiative promoted by UNESCO from 2014 to 2018, marking the centennial of World War I and in accordance with the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Its goal was to commemorate the maritime tragedies of World War I, transforming them into opportunities for learning, reflection, and peace. Among other things, this initiative contributed to greater public awareness of heritage conservation and the values of peace, as reflected in intergenerational engagement within local communities. It also encouraged 15 new countries to ratify the UNESCO Convention.
In Cascais Bay lies the wreck of one of the most iconic ships in the history of 19th-century navigation. The Thermopylae, one of the most famous clippers, stood out for its extraordinary speed in transporting high-value cargo, such as tea from China, outpacing other famous ships of the era, including the Cutty Sark. Its composite construction—an iron skeleton and wooden plating—combined structural strength with a narrower, longer hull, enabling faster and more efficient voyages at a time when speed of delivery was a decisive factor in competitive international trade.
This “Dive for Peace” event includes a public conference and a dive at the archaeological site of the Thermopylae wreck. Speakers Augusto Salgado, Jorge Freire, and António Fialho will address the history of the Thermopylae and its sinking, as well as its identification, investigation, and proposed preservation. In partnership with local diving centers, the plan is to conduct a dive at the Thermopylae wreck site; on the surface, aboard the century-old traditional vessel “Estou para Ver,” the dive will be monitored using an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle).
AUGUSTO SALGADO is Director of the Naval Museum, holds a Ph.D. in the History of the Discoveries from FLUL, and is co-director of the SUNK research project (Study of Modern Shipwrecks in the Tagus Estuary).
ANTÓNIO FIALHO, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in History (Archaeology track) from FLUL, is a Senior Technician at the Cascais City Council and one of the researchers jointly responsible for the ProCASC project (Underwater Archaeological Map of Cascais Project) and the SUNK project.
JORGE FREIRE, who holds a Ph.D. in History and a Master’s degree in Archaeology from FCSH/UNL, as well as a Master’s degree in Maritime Law and Economics from the UNL School of Law, is a Senior Technician at the Cascais City Council and also one of the researchers jointly responsible for the ProCASC and SUNK projects and for the implementation of the “Cascais Underwater Archaeological Park” project.
