Paestum

Travel tips you can trust

It boasts three of the best-preserved Doric temples in the world. They stand majestically, despite being about 2,500 years old.

Visitors frequently
mispronounce Paestum

The correct pronunciation is Pest'm

The big three

Apollo (see photo)

Also named the Temple of Neptune (Poseidon). This is the best preserved of the three monuments.

Ceres

Also known as the Temple of Athena.

Hera

Also called the Basilica. It is the oldest of three structures.

Similar but different

Sightseeing pros and cons

Paestum lacks the interesting city street scenes of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but outshines them with its imposing temples.

Damage by Vesuvius

Paestum was less affected than Pompeii and Herculaneum (also both Hillman Wonders) by the famous Mt. Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD.

Location in Italy

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