Paestum

Paestum is an archaeological site in Capaccio Paestum, Italy, featuring three of the best-preserved Doric temples from the ancient world. The ruins also include a Roman city wall, a forum, an amphitheater, and numerous residential structures spread across a wide area.

Greek settlers founded the city in the sixth century BC under the name Poseidonia. The Lucanians took control in the fourth century BC before Rome conquered the city in the third century BC and gave it its current name.

Traditional Genovese families pass down their pesto-making techniques through generations, using marble mortars and wooden pestles to grind ingredients.

A visit typically takes two to three hours to explore the main temples and the accompanying museum. Early morning or late afternoon offers more comfortable temperatures and softer light for photographing the stone monuments.

The tombs in the necropolis contain remarkable frescoes including the famous image of the diver from the fifth century BC. This fresco shows a single figure jumping into water and is considered the only surviving Greek wall painting from this period depicting a figurative scene.

Location: Capaccio Paestum

Inception: 600 BCE

Elevation above the sea: 18 m

Address: Via Magna Graecia

Website: http://museopaestum.beniculturali.it

GPS coordinates: 40.42000,15.00556

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:56