Paestum
Explore Ancient Temples, Art and History in this City of Campania
Famous above all for its ancient archaeological remains from the Greek period.
Founded by the Greeks around 600 BCE, it was initially called Poseidon, Poseidon, or Neptune, god of the sea, which the city had been dedicated.
Between 400 and 273 BC it was occupied by the Italian Lucanian population. In 273 it became a Roman colony with the name of Paestum.
But there is no doubt that the foundation of the city was preceded by the establishment of a commercial farm on the left bank and near the mouth of the Silaros river and that the malarial conditions of the land then induced the primitive settlers to move the inhabited center towards the east, on a limestone bank slightly raised on the plain and on the coast, along the course of another minor river (the Salso river or Capofiume).
From the primitive plant on the Silaros the sea and river port of the city developed and near it the Temple of Argive Era arose, which soon became one of the largest and most venerated sanctuaries of ancient Italy: about 50 stadia separated the city from the Heraion and its emporium on the river.
The end of the Roman Empire roughly coincided with the end of the city. In fact, around 500 C.E., following a malaria epidemic, aggravated by the unhealthiness of the territory, the inhabitants gradually abandoned the city.
The rediscovery of Paestum dates back to 1762, when the modern road that still crosses it was built.
Recommended visit, from Maratea to Paestum by car or train.
