MyTravel Europe: Paestum

Paestum Italy

The town of Poseidonia—later known as Paestum—was founded by Greek settlers from Sybaris, an earlier Greek city in southern Italy, around 600 BC. The town grew and prospered, and today it has some of the most extensive ruins from Magna Graecia (called Magna Grecia in Italian). In 410 BC, the town was conquered by the Lucanians, a native Italian people. Then, in 273 BC, the Romans took over, changed the name to Paestum, and started their own building projects. As the Roman Empire fell, Paestum declined. Malaria and raids by Saracens led to the town being almost completely abandoned, and the development of Capaccio, a safer settlement on higher ground. Paestum itself was largely forgotten. An information board outside the old church paints a vivid picture of the area as an abandoned wilderness, visited only by bandits. Things changed in the eighteenth century, when road-builders rediscovered the temples. This, along with a renewed interest in ancient history and visits from Grand Tourists and tireless travelers like Shelley and Goethe, brought Paestum back into the spotlight. The ancient name Paestum was revived (though Capaccio is still the local government center). Today, most of the lost city of Poseidonia-Paestum lies hidden beneath farmland. The ancient city walls, built from massive stone blocks, surround a large area of countryside, much of which remains unexcavated. At the center is the archaeological area, which is open to the public, along with a few later buildings that now house small tourist businesses.

Recommended airport

Salerno Pontecagnano Airport (QSR)

Points of interest

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Mini Circuito de la Campania Costa Amalfitana, Salerno y Alrededores - Otoño Invierno

5 Destinations 4 Nights

Destinations

Naples · Salerno · Amalfi · Salerno · Paestum · Salerno · Caserta · Naples

Pickup point:

Naples

Circuito Campania Otoño-Invierno

7 Destinations 7 Nights

Destinations

Naples · Sorrento · Pompeii · Naples · Salerno · Amalfi · Salerno · Paestum · Salerno · Caserta · Naples

Pickup point:

Naples

ITALY BY TRAIN: Campania

8 Destinations 7 Nights

Destinations

Naples · Capri Island · Ischia Island · Naples · Pompeii · Caserta · Naples · Naples · Salerno · Amalfi Coast · Salerno · Paestum · Salerno · Salerno · Naples · Naples

FLY & DRIVE: Amalfi Coast

9 Destinations 7 Nights

Destinations

Naples · Naples · Naples · Capri Island · Ischia Island · Pompeii · Caserta · Naples · Naples · Salerno · Amalfi Coast · Salerno · Paestum · Benevento · Salerno · Salerno · Naples

Paestum, Italy

Paestum Italy

Our ideas

Mini Circuito de la Campania Costa Amalfitana, Salerno y Alrededores - Otoño Invierno

Circuito Campania Otoño-Invierno

ITALY BY TRAIN: Campania

FLY & DRIVE: Amalfi Coast