Our excursion Departure by GT bus to reach the Archaeological Area of Paestum with a guided tour of the three Doric temples dedicated respectively to Hera and Athena. Later, a visit to the adjacent Archaeological Museum is scheduled. Duration: Half day Included: - Transport to / from hotels - Tour with authorised guide Not included: - Entrance tickets Additional information - Comfortable walking shoes are recommended - The programme is subject to change regarding the weather and the route plan, in which case it may not be possible to make some stops or visits that are included in the programme. - Duration may vary due to traffic conditions and unforeseen circumstances PAESTUM "It is as if a god here built his house with huge blocks of stone" (Friedrich Nietzsche). Founded by the Greeks around 600 B.C.E., it was initially called Poseidonia, from Poseidon, or Neptune, god of the sea, to whom the city had been dedicated. Between 400 and 273 before it was occupied by the Italic population of the Lucanians. In 273 it became a Roman colony with the name of Paestum. What is most striking is the vision of three majestic temples inserted in a green plain, which reflect a different light according to the hours and seasons. Many writers, poets and artists such as Goethe, Shelley, Canova and Piranesi were fascinated by this show which proved to be their source of inspiration. These large buildings are an extraordinary example of Doric style. The Temple of Hera, dating back to the 6th century. BC, is the oldest. The Temple of Neptune (5th century BC), looks like a grandiose travertine construction, with a warm golden colour that varies in shades at different times of the day. It is a true jewel of Doric architecture: majestic and at the same time elegant. The Temple of Ceres (6th century BC), actually dedicated to the goddess Athena, in medieval times was transformed into a church and houses three Christian tombs, leaning against the external wall. The archaeological area is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1988 and is of considerable interest to visitors from all over the world. Not far away it is possible to visit the rich archaeological museum containing objects of mainly ancient Greek and Lucan manufacture, found in the various necropolises in the surroundings. The highlight of the museum is the paintings found in the so-called diver's tomb, the only remaining example of Greek painting from Magna Graecia. In this magnificent painting a man is shown when he leaps into the waves. The metaphor is quite evident, man represents the deceased in the act of abandoning the security of the earthly world to launch himself into the unknown of the afterlife.