MD20110406_026.jpg

Paestum was founded 600 B.C. by Greeks from Sybaris, which was at that time an important Greek city in Calabria. Paestum was established about 9 kms to the south of the river Sele on a plateau of travertine, which also provided the building material for the town walls and the temples. The outlines of this plateau correspond to the course of the town walls. The Sele formed a natural border to the area situated in the north, which was at that time controlled by the Etruscans. The Greek settlers called the city Poseidonia in honor of the Greek sea God Poseidon. Surrounded and buried by swamps caused by the river Sele, the city remained hidden and forgotten for about 900 years. Due to new road constructions in 1748, the well preserved temples were rediscovered and excavated. The main features of the site today are the standing remains of three major temples in Doric style, dating from the first half of the 6th century BC. These were dedicated to Hera and Athena, although they have traditionally been identified as a basilica and temples of Neptune and Ceres, owing to 18th-century mis-attribution.

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Filename: MD20110406_026.JPG
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Image Size: 2592x1944 / 1.7MB; Paestum 600 B.C. Greek Sybaris Greek city Calabria River Sele plateau travertine town walls temples Etruscans Poseidonia sea god Poseidon buried hidden 900 years 1748 excavate historic site Doric 6th century BC Hera Athena Ceres basilica temple of Neptune temple of Ceres Lucania ancient Italy Campania history horizontal outdoors old ruin column classical Greek local landmark day color image people building exterior photography architecture travel destinations Roman shadow grass ancient civilization building culture Europe Greece historic old Province of Salerno ruins stone wall travel tree wall Italian Italian republic tourism sightseeing archaeological site archaeological sites archaeology archaeologist
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Paestum was founded 600 B.C. by Greeks from Sybaris, which was at that time an important Greek city in Calabria. Paestum was established about 9 kms to the south of the river Sele on a plateau of travertine, which also provided the building material for the town walls and the temples. The outlines of this plateau correspond to the course of the town walls. The Sele formed a natural border to the area situated in the north, which was at that time controlled by the Etruscans. The Greek settlers called the city Poseidonia in honor of the Greek sea God Poseidon. Surrounded and buried by swamps caused by the river Sele, the city remained hidden and forgotten for about 900 years. Due to new road constructions in 1748, the well preserved temples were rediscovered and excavated. The main features of the site today are the standing remains of three major temples in Doric style, dating from the first half of the 6th century BC. These were dedicated to Hera and Athena, although they have traditionally been identified as a basilica and temples of Neptune and Ceres, owing to 18th-century mis-attribution.