On the Grand Tour to Paestum

Paestum on the Gulf of Salerno is, like Elea with its school of philosophy, one of the many Greek settlements newly founded in southern Italy around 600 BC. After being destroyed in the Middle Ages and the area turning into swampland, the ruins of the site originally known as Poseidonia were only rediscovered in the mid-18th century. Johann Joachim Winckelmann’s visit and the publication of his travel report increased its fame, and by the time Johann Wolfgang Goethe appeared in 1787—described in his Italian Journey—the place was culturally ‘reborn’. This helped Paestum become part of the classical Grand Tour, alongside Rome, Naples, and Pompeii/Herculaneum. This educational journey for Europe’s upper social classes, originally intended to complete one’s education and broaden knowledge of language or art, experienced a huge boom among the nobility and bourgeoisie at the time.

The main attraction of the archaeological zone is the three monumental temple ruins in the Doric style, which were dedicated to Hera, Athena, and possibly Poseidon. The Temple of Poseidon is particularly pleasing due to its harmonious proportions. The Romans also left their mark, though less significantly—remains of the forum and many houses can still be seen. Paestum is located 50 km from Salerno in the fertile Sele plain, at the northern entrance to the Cilento, so to speak.

More pictures in the Cilento gallery.