It's in Campania and not far from the beautiful center of Salerno that you will find one of the major Magna Graecia cities. We are talking about Paestum, an important archaeological site which still fascinates millions of visitors every year. This enormous park is located a few steps away from one of Mediterranean's most wonderful coastlines and from some amazing tourist destinations in Southern Italy, like Amalfi and Sorrento Coast. Ancient temples, splendid monuments, necropolises, pre-historical findings and majestic Roman walls enrich the beauty of the so-called “Archaeological Park of Poseidonia- Paestum”. Along with Cilento and with the National Park of Vallo di Diano, this place has been recognized by Unesco as one of its “World Cultural Heritage Sites”.
Start planning a visit to this beautiful place: read our article and follow our travel tips to spend a memorable holiday in Campania!
The polis of Paestum was founded by Greeks in 600 BC, when they first arrived to Campania's coast. The area was already inhabited and it is believed that the first human settlements date back to Neolithic Age. The splendid Greek buildings that you can see inside the Park are three temples, one Agora, various assemblies called “Ekklesiasteiron” and other symbolic palaces, such as the "Founder Hero Tomb".
The Temple of Neptune is the biggest, the Temple of Athena is located on the highest spot, while the Temple of Hera, also called “Basilica”, is the oldest exemple of Greek architecture in Campania and it dates back to 560 BC. During the Roman period other structures were added: these are the Forum, the Amphitheater, the sport Campus and the charming defensive city walls encircling the whole town for almost 5 km, which are surprisingly still intact.
The entrance ticket (9€/ 4,50€ ) includes a visit to the park and to the fantastic Archaeological Museum. Founded in 1952, the latter contains hundreds of findings dating back to Prehistory, Greek and Roman Ages. You will be able to admire the masterpieces found inside the Necropolis of Gaudo (III-IV millennium BC) and the famous “Tomb of the Diver”, a fresco that you have certainly already seen somewhere! This is one of the rarest pictorial evidences belonging to the Greek period, as works of art were usually portrayed on red or black vases. The scene represents a young naked boy diving into the ocean waters and it has a strong symbolic meaning, as it is the allegory of the passage from life to death, where men wish to find the survival of the soul.
Paestum is a splendid and unique place, where every visitor is accompanied in a journey back in time, surrounded by a magic atmosphere created by its architectural masterpieces. For this reason, famous artists such as Giovanni Battista Piranesi chose Paestum as a main stop of their “Grand Tour” in the 19th century! This trip was a discovery of the past and it was an intense experience that enriched artists, both spiritually and artistically, as it offered them some incredible sources of inspiration.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your holiday!
Visiting Paestum and its surroundings, you will have the opportunity to spend some relaxing vacation days with natural beauties, spectacular beaches, art cities and charming places like Amalfi. If you are looking for a property to rent for your stay, book one of our villas choosing between Villa Profumo di Mare!
© Alice Pilastri
