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The Best Ruins
The Temples of Paestum: This site's complete set of walls and three temples are simply the best Greek ruins in existence outside Greece. One of the three temples -- the grandiose Temple of Neptune, whose restoration was finished in 2004, is actually the best-preserved Greek temple in the world, along with the Theseion in Athens. We highly recommend timing your visit in spring or fall, when the roses are in bloom and the ruins are at their most romantic. The site is also stunning at dawn and sunset in any season, when the temples' surfaces glow golden in the sun.
The Acropolis of Cuma: The first Greek colony in Italy and a beacon of Greek culture, Cuma was built on one of the most picturesque promontories in Campania. In the once enchanting area of the Phlegrean Fields, where so many myths reside (the Cave of the Sybil, Lake Averno and the entrance to the underworld, and so on), Cuma offers a stunning panorama and atmospheric ruins.
The Anfiteatro Campano: The largest Roman amphitheater after the Colosseum, this splendid ruin offers a glimpse at ancient artistry in spite of the active pillage that occurred here from the 9th century onwards. On-site is the Museo dei Gladiatori, a permanent exhibit reconstructing the life of a gladiator; it is housed in a building located on the probable site of Capua's Gladiator School -- whose most famous graduate was Spartacus, the slave made famous by the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film. It is located in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, which occupies the grounds of Roman Capua, the city that Cicero considered second only to Rome in the whole ancient world. The area is rich in other noteworthy ruins, such as the splendid Mitreo (Temple to the Persian god Mithras), and museum collections.
Pompeii and Herculaneum: Will enough ever be said to describe these incredible sites? Even if you have already visited them in the past, new findings are reason enough for a return visit. The magnificent Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum was opened to the public for the first time in 2004; the Terme Suburbane in Pompeii was opened in 2002. The riches of the archaeological area are best complemented by a visit to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples , to view its massive array of frescoes and mosaics from earlier excavations at both sites.
Oplontis: Also called the Villa of Poppea, these are the ruins of a splendid Roman villa -- believed to be that of Nero's wife -- with magnificent frescoes and decorations. Less known than other sites and often passed by hurried tourists who stop only in Pompeii or Herculaneum, this villa is unique, not only for its state of conservation, but also because modern archaeology requires materials to be left in situ. The frescoes and statuary grant you a fuller experience of the Romans' daily lives.
Trajan's Arch in Benevento: This little-known and out-of-the-way find is the world's best-preserved example of an ancient Roman triumphal arch. Recently restored -- it took 14 years of work before the arch was opened again to the public in 2001 -- it is a masterpiece of carving that depicts the deeds of the admired (and fairly benevolent) Roman Emperor Trajan. Careful cleaning has eliminated darker areas in the marble, making the reliefs much easier to read. Inside a little Longobard church nearby is a permanent exhibit on the arch, its restoration, and Roman life under Trajan.
Pozzuoli: The ruins of the ancient Roman town of Puteoli have been difficult to excavate since the busy modern town occupies exactly the same area as the original (much as Rome does). In the splendid frame of Pozzuoli's bay, you'll find an underground Pompeii -- buried not by a volcanic explosion, but by sinking under unstable volcanic ground. The main attractions are the Rione Terra, with Roman streets and shops; the 1st-century Greco-Roman market (Serapeo); and the Roman amphitheater (Anfiteatro Flavio), where musical performances are held during summer.
The Underwater Archeological Park of Baia: Due to subsiding ground, a large part of the ancient Roman town of Baia was submerged by the sea. Excavated and transformed into an archaeological park, it can now be visited with scuba equipment or -- if you don't like to get wet -- in a glass-bottomed boat. The itinerary leads you through the streets of the ancient town and inside its beautiful villas, now water-filled. This magical experience truly deserves the word unique.
Velia: Overshadowed by Paestum and just a bit too far from Naples for a day trip, Velia was the site of an important Greek settlement started around 540 B.C. It gave birth to one of the most important philosophical schools of antiquity -- the Eleatic school of Parmenides and Zeno. Velia is one of the only Greek archaeological sites showing remains not only of an acropolis with its ruined temples, but also of a lower town with some houses. Portions of the walls here date from the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. A stretch of the original Greek pavement climbs towards the town gate, the famous Porta Rosa. A highlight of the Roman period is the thermal baths.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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