Temples of Paestum

Another train ride Yeh. There is a treno station at Pisciotta that stops in Paestum, great planning.

Up early to catch the 7.51am and arrived at 8.45 am in Paestum. A short walk through the 2000 year old city wall and we were at the Museo to get our entry tickets and audio guide.

Paestum has been inhabited for over 7000 years but the temples and town date between 600 and 5 BC. The site is over 100 hectares dominated by three huge Greek temples all built around 600 BC. They are extraordinarily impressive and you wonder just how they built them. The stone work is ornate despite the age and weathering.

We also walked through a mansion house with swimming pool and water slide, visited the amphitheatre, admired beautifully tiled floors and the forum.

After 2 hours wandering we took a coffee break and then hit the museum. This houses many items recovered from tombs such as vases, armour and ornaments. Also displayed were the detailed paintings on the tomb walls which give a lot of insight into life at this time - music, hunting, fighting and ritual. One of the most famous is the Tomb of the Diver from 500 BC, the top showing a young man diving from a platform into a pool, as you would do today. An amazing day.

We caught the train back at 3 pm and had a swim near the marina before heading home for happy hour and home made frittata for dinner. Relaxed day today exploring Pisciotta,  swimming and packing for Ravello on the Amalfi coast.