I will not allow it! The bizarre fig tree that grows upside down in the ruins of an ancient Roman city… and can still bear fresh fruit

It is tree-like.

Hidden in an archaeological park near Naples, Italy, a sycamore tree has been growing upside down for decades.

The roots are embedded in the ceiling of an arch, meaning that the plant’s branches, which sometimes bear fruit, hang down to the ground.

This strange tree is found in the modern town of Bacoli, the site of the lost city of Baiae, often referred to by the rich of ancient Rome as Las Vegas – a hedonistic destination for a weekend getaway.

Most of the old city – which is near Naples – is now underwater, but parts of it remain on land and can be explored in the Parco Archeologico delle Terme di Baia.

The tree’s roots are embedded in the ceiling of an arch, meaning that the plant’s branches, which sometimes bear fruit, hang down to the ground.

A woman photographs the fig tree that stands in the shadow of the central arch

The Italian reference site Storie di Napoli says the tree usually grew upwards until the 1940s, but when excavations of the archaeological site began, the tree was destroyed. However, the roots survived and gave birth to a new tree that grew from the specific position it is attached to today.

It seems to be getting all the nutrients it needs – the Royal Horticultural Society says fig trees “need a warm, sunny, sheltered location” to grow, adding that “limiting their roots will help the fruit to promote”.

While the archaeological site has long attracted visitors, the upside-down tree itself has become a minor tourist attraction.

Tripadvisor reviewer ‘Bidule05’, who visited the archaeological park, said: ‘We were amazed to see a fig tree that was upside down… it was the highlight of the visit!’

This strange tree stands in the modern city of Bacoli (above), the site of the lost city of Baiae

The tree, which has itself become a tourist attraction, sometimes bears fruit

The fig tree is a stone’s throw from the Temple of Mercury (above), which served as a Roman bath rather than a temple.

Above is an aerial view of the archaeological park. According to historians, the ancient city of Baiae was where the rich and powerful of Rome would gather to celebrate

Contemporary Italian writers such as Antonella Cilento and Patrizia Rinaldi have even woven this peculiar tree into their stories, adds Storie di Napoli.

The fig tree is a stone’s throw from the Parco Archeologico delle Terme di Baia’s Temple of Mercury, which actually served as a Roman bathhouse rather than a temple.

According to historians, the ancient city of Baiae was where the rich and powerful of Rome came to drink and have fun – and indulge in debauchery.

In the television series Secrets of the Dead: Nero’s Sunken City, Professor Kevin Dicus, who has experience excavating these Roman ruins, said: “Some of the greatest names in the Roman Republic… Caesar, Cicero, Mark Anthony, Nero, all these men had residences in Baiae.

“Aristocrats can come here to shed their public roles and pursue private amusements. Illicit sex, drunkenness, partying on the beach, partying on boats. What happened in Baiae stayed in Baiae.”

The ruins lost at sea can be explored on a glass-bottom boat tour or on a guided diving excursion.

Divers can explore the ruins of Baiae lost at sea (above)