In the past, Paestum was a key ancient Greek city in southern Italy. Today, Paestum is part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the ruins of three ancient Greek temples, all belonging to the Doric order, dating from about 600 to 450 BC. They are in a very good state of preservation, and all together make this little city a perfect destination if you love history and art. The city was founded by Greek colonists who named it Poseidonia (Ancient Greek: Ποσειδωνία). Later, it was eventually conquered by the local Lucanians and, finally, by the Romans. The Lucanians gave the city a new name: Paistos, and the Romans changed it into its current name. In the Early Middle Ages, the town was abandoned and only after the eighteenth century it was finally repopulated and preserved.
Once in Paestum, you will be unable to stop looking at the three astonishing Temples. They were dedicated to Hera and Athena (Juno and Minerva, to the Romans). In the past, however, they often have been identified in different ways: the first Temple of Hera, for instance, was believed to be a Roman building, while the second Temple of Hera was believed to be a Temple of Poseidon. Finally, the Temple of Athena was thought to have been dedicated to Ceres. The two temples of Hera are just next to each other, while the Temple of Athena is located on the other side of the town centre. Originally, there were other temples, both Greek and Roman, but nowadays they are not so well-preserved.
The best time to visit this site is in the summer, in the evening. A night walk in this magnificent scenery, with music and lights luring the tour, offers the chance to immerse yourself in a unique atmosphere, among the wonderful remains of some of the greatest civilizations of the past. If you are lucky, you might also find a fabulous night concert inside the archaeological park (for more info visit this website). The Archaeological area is open every day from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm (last ticket 6.50 pm). After sunset visitors to the Archaeological site must keep to the illuminated trail. Tickets cost just 7€ (3.50 if you are a under 25 , free if you are under 18).
Close to the Archaeological site there is also a Museum, that will help you discover the story of the city of Temples. There, you can admire the Sele metopes, the Tomb of the Diver, and the contents of the Heroon, together with a number of large painted terracotta architectural fragments from the temples and other buildings, and pottery such as painted vases. The museum is open every day from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm (last ticket 6.50 pm). The first and the third Monday of each month the museum closes at 1.40 pm (last ticket at 1 pm). Tickets cost just 4€ (2 if you are a under 25, free if you are under 18). A combined ticket for the Temples and the Museum costs 9€ (4,50€ for under 25). Adding one euro, you can also visit the town of Velia, also called Elea by Greeks. These remains are in the territory of the town Ascea Marina, situated between Agropoli and Palinuro. By car, they are 40 minutes apart.
Once in Paestum, do not miss a wonderful lunch or dinner in front of the Temples! Ristorante Nettuno is located near the Archaeological site, in fact it is just at the excavations’ border. Elegant and cosy, the food is very good, with fresh fish and authentic buffalo mozzarella. Price around 25€ per person!
Best Italy Trips 