Paestum Excursion

During this excursion to Paestum, you will explore the Temple of Hera I, Hera II, and the Temple of Athena, three remarkable examples of Doric architecture from Ancient Greece.

Excursion to Paestum

Our journey begins with a pickup from your hotel in Palinuro, followed by a comfortable ride in a minibus to the archaeological park of Paestum. Here, we will embark on an enlightening tour of three extraordinary Doric temples that honor the goddesses Hera and Athena.

Upon arrival at the archaeological site, we will start to uncover the rich history of this splendid city known as Magna Graecia, originally established as Poseidonia and later renamed Paistom by the Lucanians and Paestum by the Romans. After a general introduction to the park, our first stop will be the Temple of Hera I, noted for its unique enneastyle façade. Fun fact: its construction dates back to 550 BC!

Following our exploration of the Temple of Hera I, we will proceed to the largest temple in the site: the Temple of Neptune, commonly referred to as the Temple of Hera II. The exact cultural attribution of this temple remains a subject of scholarly debate. The prevailing theory suggests it is dedicated to the goddesses Hera, Zeus, or perhaps Apollo, while the attribution to Neptune may stem from misinterpretations by 18th and 19th-century scholars. Our next destination is the Temple of Athena, which is the smallest among the three, distinguished by a combination of Doric and Ionic columns.

After our tour of these majestic ruins, which were designated a World Heritage Site in 1988, we will visit the museum of the park. This facility contains a significant collection of artifacts unearthed from the surrounding areas of Paestum. Here, we will have the opportunity to examine grave goods from the Greek and Lucanian necropolis, alongside vases, arms, and beautifully decorated tomb slabs.

The highlight of our museum exploration will be the stunning frescoes from the iconic Tomb of the Diver, a singular example of classical Greek painting that portrays the transition from life to death, emblematic of the artistic expression in Magna Graecia.

After a fulfilling afternoon delving into the historical and artistic legacy of Paestum, we will conclude our excursion with a return to your hotel in Palinuro.