Naples Private Paestum Greek Temples Excursion S3611

Description

• Private, air-conditioned and licensed round-trip transportation from your Naples Cruise pier!
• Private English-speaking diver/guide!
• Drive along the coast with photo stops!
• Visit the Greek Temples of Paestum!
• Option to stop at the Archeological Museum of Paestum!
• Complimentary bottled water!

Step back in time to Greek mythology at one of the most significant and valuable archaeological sites in Italy The Paestum is known for its stunning Doric temples which you will ... Read More




Step back in time to Greek mythology at one of the most significant and valuable archaeological sites in Italy! The Paestum is known for its stunning Doric temples, which you will be free to explore.

You will meet outside your Naples cruise port for the almost 2-hour drive to Paestum. Founded as Poseidonia in honor of the Greek god Poseidon, God of the Sea. Paestum was one of the most prosperous cities in the Mediterranean! It was given its present name by the Romans and was abandoned when that empire collapsed, to be rediscovered in the 18th century.

Please note this is a self-guided private excursion; your driver will not accompany you inside the ruins.

During your first 2 hours, you will be able to visit the three temples, all remarkably intact! The first Temple of Hera is the oldest, having been built around 550 BC; 18th-century archaeologists named it The Basilica. Once mistakenly believed to be dedicated to Poseidon, the second Temple of Hera was constructed around 450 BC. Finally, the Temple of Athena, circa 500 BC, has three medieval Christian tombs located on the floor, suggesting that this particular temple was once used as a Christian church. In addition to the three well-preserved temples, there is an amphitheater and a forum! You will wish you had more time to explore everything! This excursion does not include the entry fee to the site and museum.

Not far from the temples is the Archaeological Museum of Paestum where you will have an hour to explore some of the most important artifacts in southern Italy. The highlights are the Sele metopes, the Tomb of the Diver (the only tomb decorated with human figures), and contents from the heroon (a shrine dedicated to an ancient hero). There are also large fragments of painted terracotta from the temples, figurines, statues, and pottery.

You will have an hour before returning to Naples. You may want to spend that time having a bite to eat, or you could visit a local mozzarella factory.

At the end of your excursion, your private driver will take you back to your Naples cruise terminal.