• Archaeological Park of Paestum - Our excursion\n\nDeparture by GT bus to reach the Archaeological Area of Paestum with a guided tour of the three Doric temples dedicated respectively to Hera and Athena. Later, a visit to the adjacent Archaeological Museum is scheduled.\n\nDuration: Half day\n\nIncluded:\n- Transportation to / from hotels\n- Tour with authorized guide\n\nNot included:\n- Entrance tickets\n\nAdditional information\n- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended\n- The program is subject to change regarding the weather and the route plan, in which case it may not be possible to make some stops or visits that are included in the program.\n- Duration may vary due to traffic conditions and unforeseen circumstances\n\nPAESTUM\n\n\”It is as if a god here built his house with huge blocks of stone\” (Friedrich Nietzsche).\n\nFounded by the Greeks around 600 B.C.E., it was initially called Poseidonia, from Poseidon, or Neptune, god of the sea, to whom the city had been dedicated. Between 400 and 273 before it was occupied by the Italic population of the Lucanians. In 273 it became a Roman colony with the name of Paestum.\n\nWhat is most striking is the vision of three majestic temples inserted in a green plain, which reflect a different light according to the hours and seasons.\nMany writers, poets and artists such as Goethe, Shelley, Canova and Piranesi were fascinated by this show which proved to be their source of inspiration.\nThese large buildings are an extraordinary example of Doric style.\nThe Temple of Hera, dating back to the 6th century. BC, is the oldest.\nThe Temple of Neptune (5th century BC), looks like a grandiose travertine construction, with a warm golden color that varies in shades at different times of the day. It is a true jewel of Doric architecture: majestic and at the same time elegant.\nThe Temple of Ceres (6th century BC), actually dedicated to the goddess Athena, in medieval times was transformed into a church and houses three Christian tombs, leaning against the external wall.\n\nThe archaeological area is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1988 and is of considerable interest to visitors from all over the world.\n\nNot far away it is possible to visit the rich archaeological museum containing objects of mainly ancient Greek and Lucan manufacture, found in the various necropolises in the surroundings. The highlight of the museum is the paintings found in the so-called diver’s tomb, the only remaining example of Greek painting from Magna Graecia. In this magnificent painting a man is shown when he leaps into the waves. The metaphor is quite evident, man represents the deceased in the act of abandoning the security of the earthly world to launch himself into the unknown of the afterlife.

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In 1988, UNESCO designated the archaeological zone as a World Heritage Site, attracting global attention and visitors. Nearby, one can explore the abundant archaeological museum, which boasts a collection primarily comprised of ancient Greek and Lucanian artifacts, unearthed from surrounding necropolises. The museum’s standout exhibit is the artwork discovered within the so-called Diver’s Tomb - the sole example of Magna Graecia’s Greek painting still in existence.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.