Talented Vaxor envisions what Atlantis might have looked like had it not sunk in its time. There are plenty of legends and tales about various cities and structures, but few myths have captured our imagination quite like the lost city of Atlantis. Even though this city may never have existed in reality—unlike other great constructions from the pyramids to mighty sculptures—it remains equally popular. Songs are written about it, books are published, educational encyclopedias are created, films are made, and beautiful paintings are crafted. Yes, no one has seen it in real life, yet we keep it alive in our hearts. Each time we explore the depths of the ocean, the thought and hope of encountering this legendary city linger with us. To see majestic white marble columns supporting the entrance to a palace as if they were guardians, or to come across incredible temples leading to the gods. Perhaps civilization did not vanish in this city; instead, people adapted and became more akin to mermaids and mermen, hiding away from us.
Builder Minecraft and mythological dreamer Vaxor has created his own version of the city in his collection “Hyperborea Atlantis,” showcasing architecture untouched by weather and war, yet filled with vibrant corals and seaweed.
The creators of this project have their interpretation, just as most storytellers do regarding the origins of Atlantis. “Long ago, ancient Greeks built an underwater city that stood fearless. The people of Atlantis communicated with no one, having reached the peak of civilization and needing no one’s assistance. Their technology was so advanced that time stood still for them in this underwater realm. Even now, far from all humans, shielded from the troubles of this world, they live happily.” 
“I have been to several places in Greece and have seen many interesting architectural ideas that inspire creative endeavors, which is why I tried to incorporate them into my build,” he explains. Drawing on such inspirations, Vaxor constructed his Atlantis. He designed numerous different structures individually before merging them into a cohesive city within Minecraft Pocket Edition.
However, architectural projects from the real world come with many challenges. “I knew that Greek architecture of that era was quite complex,” says Vaxor. This necessitated intricate mathematical calculations while creating his Atlantic paradise, considering every tiny detail and block. One had to think as the Greeks did—or at least strive to emulate them—and he constantly faced issues due to his own mistakes.” 
The buildings were crafted from quartz, iron, and concrete to give the art a completely white appearance, which Vaxor describes as “fresh,” contrasting with the bright colors of stones and plants surrounding it. However, since the city lies below sea level, he didn’t want to use grass and leaf blocks as the foundation because grass doesn’t look good underwater and isn’t fitting at all. When he experimented with other, more oceanic blocks for the base, he found that there wasn’t enough contrast between the bright white buildings and the floor. Ultimately, the builder settled on a mix of blocks to create the underwater flooring spread throughout the city in Minecraft Bedrock.
“To achieve results in such complex architectural projects, one must be not only inspired but also persistent. And when it seems like nothing is working anymore, you need to push through and not give up.”
Creating vegetation and small rocks was challenging. “Previously, I attempted to structure and recreate original architecture in Minecraft Pocket Edition, but I had never tried making more original builds,” he admits. His Atlantis is surrounded by long strands of seaweed, clusters of coral, and even some marine creatures like seahorses and giant turtles that can be spotted while exploring the rooftops of the city. “It was quite difficult to get the right shapes and colors for the turtle,” Vaxor shares. “I wanted to add something that would stand out from the other simple turtles, and achieving that distinction was very challenging. The turtle is colored blue, white, and beige, mirroring the color palette of the city itself.” 
One of the biggest challenges in constructing an underwater city is, of course, the underwater building process. Water in Minecraft is hard to see through, making it nearly impossible to create anything on a large scale. Without much hesitation, the builder explored alternative methods to create the sunken city. “This was done through rendering,” he explains, referring to images that make it seem as though the city is submerged underwater with rays of sunlight filtering through. “I created the assembly in Cinema4D. It was my first experience, so it took several attempts to achieve the desired result. Thus, piece by piece, this grand city came together, of which I am proud.”
Vaxor is also proud of the size of his Atlantis build. It’s his most ambitious project, and according to him, it was a challenge—a test for himself. “Before this build, I mostly worked on much smaller projects, and for types of constructions like this, you really need to push forward and not give up, which can sometimes be very difficult for me.” Although while creating Atlantis, his main goal was to design a city inspired by Greek architecture rather than focusing on its surroundings. Scale was also crucial. “I wanted to challenge myself by creating more interesting structures and materials than before. I hope I succeeded in bringing this project to life.” 
This won’t be the last time Vaxor pushes himself out of his comfort zone. Having engaged in organic builds in Atlantis, he now knows what he wants to pursue next in Minecraft Bedrock. “Structuring and architectural builds are amazing, and I will certainly work on projects in similar directions, but for now, I want to improve myself with creature building,” he states. “Time will tell what the next theme will be.”
