Paestum: Ancient Temples, Tomba del Tuffatore and UNESCO World Heritage
Accommodation in Paestum
Paestum is a place where Greek and Roman history becomes visible in tangible buildings and structures. The archaeological site of Paestum extends over approximately 27 hectares and preserves three large Doric temples. The area gives the site a spatial dimension in which you do not have to view individual monuments in isolation. Among the temples, an assembly building, the amphitheater and the baths, it is possible to understand the different functions of an ancient city.
File:San Vito, Church in Paestum, Capaccio Paestum, Italy BW 2013-05-17 16-18-17.jpg
Photo: Berthold Werner via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Archaeological Site and Museum
In the “Oltre il museo” area of the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum, you can visit the archaeological storerooms daily accompanied by museum staff. The Tomba del Tuffatore is the only known tomb from the 5th century BC in the Greek world decorated with figurative scenes. An exploration of Paestum therefore encompasses both archaeological collection areas and an extraordinary example of ancient funerary art.
Three Temples, Each with Its Own History
The temples merit careful distinction. The Temple of Neptune was completed around 460 BC; its peristyle has 6 by 14 Doric columns. The Basilica is the oldest stone temple in Poseidonia. The Temple of Athena was built around 500 BC on a small artificial hill modeled on an acropolis. These differences in construction date, form and location help you view the temples individually.
Assemblies, Games and Baths
The Ekklesiasterion was built around 470 BC as a building for citizens’ assemblies. The Heroon is a cenotaph erected in honor of the city’s founder. The amphitheater of Paestum is considered a structure designed for gladiatorial games and venationes; the venationes depicted the hunting of wild animals. The Roman baths in Paestum included a frigidarium for cold baths, a tepidarium for warm baths and a caldarium for immersion in hot water.
Another Artistic Accent
Il Cavallo di Sabbia by Mimmo Paladino complements the ancient buildings with an independent work of art: the work is approximately four meters high and covered with sand from Paestum. In this way, the material itself also takes on a concrete role in the appreciation of Paestum.
World Heritage and Access
Paestum is also part of a broader cultural context. The UNESCO World Heritage Site “Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula” also includes the archaeological site of Paestum. From the Battipaglia exit of the A3 motorway, the SS 18 runs south for approximately 20 kilometers to the first stop on the municipal route in Paestum. Those choosing Paestum as a cultural destination can incorporate the World Heritage context and this access route into their travel planning together.
Discover more destinations
If you would like to consider destinations in addition to Paestum, you can find Marina Di Casal Velino, Centola, Alani, Licusati, Cicerale, Scario, Valva and Nocera Superiore here.
For the higher-level travel overview: Salerno.
