Paestum (Poseidonia)

Paestum (Poseidonia) Paestum is the classical Roman name of a major Graeco-Roman city in the Campania region of Italy.

Founded around the end of the 7th century BC by colonists from the Greek city of Sybaris, and originally known as Poseidonia. Outside of archaeological evidence very little is known about Paestum during its first centuries. Archaeological evidence indicates that the city was expanding with the building of roads, temples and other features of a growing city. Coinage, architecture and molded votive

figurines all attest to close relations maintained with Metaponto in the sixth and fifth centuries. It is not until the end of the fifth century BC that the city is mentioned, when according to Strabo the city was conquered by the Lucani. From the archaeological evidence it appears that the two cultures, Greek and Oscan, were able to get together and thrive. What is known is it later became the Roman city of Paestum in 273 BC after the Graeco-Italian Poseidonians sided with the loser, Pyrrhus, in war against Rome during the first quarter of the third century BC. During the invasion of Italy by Hannibal the city remained faithful to Rome and afterwards was granted special favours such as the minting of its coinage. The city continued to prosper during the Roman imperial period, but started to go into decline between the 4th and 7th centuries. It was abandoned during the Middle Ages and its ruins only came to notice again in the 18th century, following the rediscovery of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The decline and desertion were probably due to changes in local land drainage patterns, leading to swampy malarial conditions (this is difficult to picture, with the present aridity; the site is now left to lizards and a few tourists). On September 9, 1943, Paestum was the location of the landing beaches of the U.S. 36th Infantry Division during the Allied invasion of Italy. German forces resisted the landings from the outset, causing heavy fighting within and around the town. Combat persisted around the town for nine days before the Germans withdrew to the north.

The site of Paestum preserves evidence from all the periods of the history of humankind. Before the foundation of the Gr...
14/07/2025

The site of Paestum preserves evidence from all the periods of the history of humankind. Before the foundation of the Greek city and its conquest by the Lucanians and the Romans, the territory had been occupied continuously for hundreds of thousands of years. The oldest artefacts, discovered in the area of the southern sanctuary, are stone (flint) flakes worked in the Palaeolithic by Neanderthals who lived in Europe between 400,000 and 35,000 years ago.

How to REALLY Worship at Hera's Temple!The temple building itself was Hera's private home 🏛️. The real party—the public ...
13/07/2025

How to REALLY Worship at Hera's Temple!

The temple building itself was Hera's private home 🏛️. The real party—the public ceremonies—happened at the massive stone altar out front!
Imagine a vibrant festival:
🚶‍♀️ Grand processions through the city
🏺 Smoke from offerings rising to the heavens
🍖 Huge community feasts after the sacrifice

It was a lively, outdoor spectacle to honour the queen of the gods and ask for her blessings on marriage, family, and the city.

Not just a temple, but the beating heart of the entire community!

2,475 years ago, hundreds of skilled hands worked together to raise what we now call the Temple of Neptune (originally t...
13/07/2025

2,475 years ago, hundreds of skilled hands worked together to raise what we now call the Temple of Neptune (originally the Temple of Hera II). Without cranes, power tools, or modern technology, they achieved an engineering marvel that still stands today.

🏺 Stonecutters shaped massive limestone blocks with chisels and hammers.
🪢 Riggers used ropes, pulleys, and wooden cranes to lift the stones into place.
📜 Architects and overseers directed the work, checking every angle for perfect balance.
🎨 Craftsmen carved intricate details, turning stone into art.

Every trade played a role in creating one of the most stunning Doric temples of the ancient world. Next time you see its weathered columns, imagine the sweat, skill, and ingenuity that went into every block.

🗿 A wonder of human collaboration and vision.

2,475 years ago, the Temple of Neptune—then called the Temple of Hera II—rose as a marvel of Greek engineering. Bustling...
13/07/2025

2,475 years ago, the Temple of Neptune—then called the Temple of Hera II—rose as a marvel of Greek engineering. Bustling with worshippers and traders, it was the heart of Paestum. Today, its mighty columns still stand, echoing the skill of its ancient builders.

24/05/2025

SANCTUARY OF HERA ON THE RIVER SELE CARVED SLAB (METOPE) MADE OF SANDSTONE. IT DECORATED AN UNKNOWN BUILDING (C. 480 BC)

24/05/2025

SINCE MARCH 2021 THE TEMPLE OF NEPTUNE HAS HAD A SEISMIC MONITORING SYSTEM THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF FOUR STATE-OF-THE-ART SENSORS WHICH WERE DEVELOPED AS PART OF RESEARCH INTO GRAVITATIONAL WAVES, THESE SENSORS HAVE BEEN POSITIONED AT THE TOP OF THE TEMPLE AND ALONG ITS FOUNDATIONS IN ORDER TO MEASURE EACH SINGLE: MOVEMENT OF THE ANCIENT STRUCTURE IN REAL TIME. THE ACCELEROMETERS ARE SO PRECISE THAT THEY CAN MEASURE NOT JUST SEISMIC ACTIVITY BUT ALSO THE IMPACT OF TRAFFIC, AND EVEN THE WIND, ON THE TEMPLE.BY CONTINUOUSLY GATHERING DATA FROM THE SENSORS, MODELS CAN BE FORMULATED ABOUT THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF THE BUILDING WHICH IS CRUCIAL FOR TRACING STRUCTURAL CHANGES THẶT ARÉ INVISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE BUT WHICH COULD POSE A RISK FOR ITS SAFETY AND CONSERVATION.THE MONITORING PROJECT OF THE TEMPLE OF NEPTUNE IS PART OF A RESEARCH PROGRAMME CARRIED OUT BY THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF PAESTUM AND VELIA IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SALERNO

24/05/2025

A journey through one of the most awe-inspiring archaeological sites in southern Italy — Paestum. In this video, we walk among giants as we explore the three magnificent ancient Greek temples: the Temple of Neptune (also known as Poseidon), the Temple of Hera, and the Temple of Athena.These massive structures, dating back as far as the 6th century BCE, are some of the best-preserved examples of Doric architecture in the world. The Temple of Hera, the oldest of the three, was built around 550 BCE and served as a sacred site for worshipping the goddess of marriage and family. Nearby, the Temple of Neptune, built around 460 BCE, stands tall and nearly intact — a powerful symbol of the architectural mastery of the ancient Greeks. And just to the north, the Temple of Athena, built around 500 BCE, is a blend of Doric and Ionic styles, revealing the artistic evolution of the time.As we walk beneath the towering limestone columns — some over 10 meters high — it’s hard not to be blown away by the scale and precision of these monuments. How did they lift and position these massive stones over 2,500 years ago, without modern machinery? The craftsmanship, symmetry, and sheer size continue to spark awe and wonder to this day.Watch, marvel, and imagine what life must have been like when these temples were alive with rituals, offerings, and the sounds of ancient Paestum.

08/05/2025

Standing tall for over 2,500 years, the Temple of Athena in Paestum is one of the best-preserved examples of early Greek architecture in Italy. Built around 500 BCE, this majestic Doric temple marks the transition between Archaic and Classical styles—with elegant proportions, simple yet powerful columns, and just a touch of Ionic detailing inside.Originally misidentified as a Temple of Ceres, it was later correctly attributed to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war, and the arts. The temple reflects the cultural richness of Magna Graecia, when Greek settlers brought their language, art, and religion to southern Italy.What’s striking is how solid and serene it feels today—its columns weathered but intact, surrounded by wildflowers and the golden light of the Cilento landscape. Walking among these stones is like stepping back into a world where myth, philosophy, and architecture came together in perfect harmony.A true gem of ancient heritage—quietly standing watch over time.

Indirizzo

Paestum, Via Magna Grecia
Capaccio
84063

Telefono

+390828811023

Sito Web

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