Colombia on Wednesday declared a “protected archaeological area” around the legendary site Saint Joseph's Galleon sank off the Caribbean coast more than three centuries ago loaded with gold, silver and emeralds believed to be worth billions of dollars.
The designation, the culture ministry said, “ensures the protection of the heritage” through the “long-term preservation of the ship and the development of research, conservation and assessment activities.”
Called the “Holy Grail” of castawaysthe San Jose was owned by the Spanish crown when it was sunk by the British navy near Cartagena in 1708. Only a handful of its 600 crew survived.
The galleon had returned from the New World to the court of King Philip V of Spain, carrying chests of emeralds and some 200 tons of gold coins.
Samuel Scott
Before Colombia announced the discovered in 2015the ship had long been sought after by adventurers.
The value of his bounty has been estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
Culture Minister Juan David Correa insisted on Wednesday: “This is not a treasure, we do not treat it as such.”
He announced the new designation of the area at an event that launched the first “non-intrusive” phase of a scientific exploration of the wreck.
In February, Correa told AFP that an a submarine robot would be sent to recover part of his generosity.
Spain had claimed the ship and its contents under a UN convention to which Colombia is not a party, while the indigenous Qhara Qhara Bolivians claim their riches were stolen.
But the government of President Gustavo Petro has insisted on raising the wreck for scientific and cultural purposes.
The Spanish and Qhara Qhara delegations were present at Wednesday's event.
The wreck is also being claimed by US-based salvage company Sea Search Armada, which insists it first found it more than 40 years ago and has taken Colombia to the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration, asking for $10 billion.
The exact location of the wreck is being kept secret to protect what is believed to be one of the most important archaeological finds in the story of malicious treasure hunters.
In June 2022, Colombia said a remotely operated vehicle reached 900 meters below the ocean's surface, showing new images of the remains.
The video showed the best view yet of the treasure aboard the San Jose, including gold bullion and coins, cannons made in Seville in 1655 and an intact Chinese dinner service.
At the time, Reuters reported that the remotely operated vehicle also discovered two other shipwrecks in the area, including a schooner thought to be about two centuries old.
