Paestum Archaeological Park: walking among the temples in Cilento

Paestum, the classical universe that unites the Greek and Roman worlds

Paestum is the Greece closest to Rome, the classical culture that took hold in Italy and with which we fell in love, creating that unique civilization that is the Greek/Roman world. Located in the flourishing plain of the Sele river, still today a land generous with crops and food products, Paestum is the late Roman name of the ancient Poseidonia of the Greeks, because the "god of the sea" Poseidon, Neptune for the Romans, was venerated there.

Paestum was founded by the settlers of Sibari, who wanted to expand their trade from the Ionian to the Tyrrhenian Sea. It then passed under the control of the Lucanian people and was then conquered by the Romans in 273 BC, who gave it its current name. The archaeological area is beautiful and still well preserved, which extends for 25 hectares and has a wall of almost 5 kilometres, within which three Doric temples of Hera (also called the Basilica), Athena and Neptune stand majestically. but whether it was really dedicated to these is doubtful.

Paestum Archaeological Park, frequently asked questions:

1. What opening hours does the Paestum Archaeological Park observe?

Being an open area, pay close attention to the opening times, as they change from month to month. From mid-November to the beginning of January, the park is open until 4pm, then every month the opening hours are extended by approximately half an hour, until 6.30pm in March. With summer time, summer hours start until 7pm and there are many evening openings.

2. How much do the tickets cost?

The full ticket costs 10 euros in winter and 15 euros from March to November. Reduced entry for young people aged 18 to 25 is 2 euros, minors enter free.

3. Can I bring the dog to the archaeological area?

Yes. All animals are allowed to enter with a leash and muzzle, with the obligation to collect their excrement. However, there is a ban on approaching temples and monuments. Entry into the museum is permitted exclusively to small animals, in the arms or in the appropriate carrier.

4. What to see at the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum?

The most famous work is the Tomb of the Diver, from the 5th century BC. and unique example of Greek painting from the classical age. It seems that the dive symbolizes the passage from earthly life to the kingdom of the dead. Also of notable importance is the series of frescoed tombs that date back to the city's Lucanian period.

5. I want to visit Paestum and Velia with disabled people, can I?

The Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia is suitable for visits to people with disabilities. Thanks to the "Zoom Uphill" offroad electric vehicles (offered by a partner company), people with motor disabilities can visit the most suggestive and iconic places. Furthermore, there are accessible routes and guided tours also with LIS language (Italian sign language) and tactile experiences with Braille captions.

6. Are there car parks near the archaeological area of ​​Paestum?

Yes and they are very comfortable. They are located at the two opposite poles of via Magna Graecia, where you access the temple area and the museum, a few tens of meters from the places to visit.