- Paestum is an Archeological Site located next to modern Paestum, which is 26 miles (43km) south of Salerno and 60 miles (98km) south of Naples in the Campania Region of southern Italy.
- Paestum was an Ancient Greek city called Poseidonia, whose Ruins are still in situ. It is noted for its three Greek Temples which are still standing after 2,500 years.
History
- The Romans renamed it Paestum after conquering Magna Graecia during the Pyrrhic War (290-275 BCE) and annexing it to Italia.
- The Temples have remained standing for 2,500 years despite numerous earthquakes in the region.
- This is because there is no mortar between the cylinders that make up the columns. The columns rock, but don’t fall down.
Archeological Park of Paestum
- Three massive Greek Temples in the Doric style dating from 550 – 500 BCE:
- Greek Temple of Hera I (c. 550 BCE)
- Greek Temple of Hera II (c.450 BCE)
- Greek Temple of Athena (c. 500 BCE)
- Roman Amphitheatre.
- Painted Tombs, including the Tomb of the Diver.
- Paestum City Walls (3 miles or 5km perimeter)
Museums
- Archeological Museum at Paestum
- Via Magna Graecia, 917/919, 84047, Paestum.
- The museum contains the ‘Tomb of the Diver’ with its frescoes and other Finds from Paestum.
Roman Roads
- Via Popilia
- Capua-Paestum-Reggio Calabria (Rhegium)
Temples of Paestum, Italy