Paestum

About this place

Paestum was a major ancient Greek city on the Tyrrhenian coast of Magna Graecia in southern Italy, in the province of Salerno, about 42 km south-east of the Amalfi Coast in a straight line. Settlers from Sybaris founded it around 600 BC as Poseidonia, and it thrived as a Greek city for about two centuries before the Lucanians took it in 400 BC and the Romans in 273 BC, who renamed it Paestum. It is famous for three Doric Greek temples from about 550 to 450 BC in an excellent state of preservation. The golden stone temples with their massive columns stand in wide green meadows, the largest being the Temple of Neptune with its massive columns, surrounded by largely intact city walls, the amphitheatre, paved roads and the foundations of many buildings. A modern national museum on the site shows the finds, including pieces from the temples and tombs. The site is large and exposed, so bring water and a hat in summer; early morning and evening are best for photos.