Introduction to Paestum

40km (25 miles) S of Salerno, 100km (62 miles) SE of Naples, 304km (188 miles) SE of Rome

The ancient city of Paestum (Poseidonia) dates from 600 B.C., founded by colonists from the Greek city of Sybaris. It was abandoned for centuries and fell to ruins. But the remnants of its past, excavated in the mid-18th century, are the finest heritage left from the Greek colonies that settled in Italy. The roses of Paestum, praised by the ancients, bloom two times yearly, splashing the landscape of the city with scarlet, a good foil for the salmon-colored temples that still stand in the archaeological garden.

Paestum is an easy day trip from anywhere in Campania, even Naples. You need an hour or two to explore the temples, and another hour for the museum. Break up the two sights with lunch at Nettuno.