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Paestum

Destination creator (Voyajo Team)

Paestum was a major ancient Greek city on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Magna Graecia. After its foundation by Greek colonists under the name of Poseidonia (Ancient Greek: Ποσειδωνία) it was eventually conquered by the Lucanians and later the Romans (...)(from Wikipedia)

Trip creator - dupendup

If you have time to stray
off the beaten path while in Campania, few places will reward you more
than the ruins of this ancient Greek community. Unlike Pompeii and even
Herculaneum, Paestum can often be deserted, and its gleaming white
marble temples, set against the silver mountains, provide a uniquely
Greek experience in Italy.


Paestum has always been
shrouded in mystery. It was probably founded around 650 BC by a large
group of Dorians who had been expelled from the city of Sybaris, a
luxurious resort across the mainland on the Ionian Sea. The Dorians
named their new colony Poseidonia, after the most important of their
gods; it flourished and quickly became the greatest city on the gulf of
Salerno. Then in 510 BC, Sybaris was destroyed. Poseidonia languished
until 390 BC, when it fell to a tribe of local barbarians called the
Lucanians. Legend has it that for decades the Greek inhabitants of the
captive city secretly met once a year to remember the illustrious days
of their forefathers.




You can make Paestum a
day trip from Naples, by driving to Salerno, then following the A3 to
the Battipaglia exit and following the S18 to Paestum. However, the very
best way to experience this lovely spot is to stay overnight, and get
to the site around 4 p.m. the next day. After a visit to the excellent
museum, you'll be able to wander through the ruins all by yourself at
sunset, a magical time. A fabulous place to stay for a wonderful visit
to this area is Agropoli Villa Hotel.