Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
Tempio di Nettuno
(Temple of Neptune), dating from about 450 BC, is the largest and best pre-
served of the three temples at Paestum; only parts of its inside walls and roof are missing. Almost next
door, the so-called
basilica
(in fact, a temple to the goddess Hera) is Paestum's oldest surviving monu-
ment. Dating from the middle of the 6th century BC, it's a magnificent sight, with nine columns across
and 18 along the sides. Ask someone to take your photo next to a column here; it's a good way to appre-
ciate the scale.
Save time for the
museum
( 0828 81 10 23; adult/reduced €10/4; 8.45am-7.45pm, last entry
7pm, closed 1st & 3rd Mon of month)
, which covers two floors and houses a collection of fascinating, if
weathered, metopes (bas-relief friezes). This collection includes 33 of the original 36 metopes from the
Tempio di Argiva Hera (Temple of Argive Hera), situated 9km north of Paestum, of which virtually
nothing else remains. The star exhibit is the 5th-century-BC fresco Tomba del Truffatore (Tomb of the
Diver), thought to represent the passage from life to death with its depiction of a diver in mid-air (don't
try this at home).
Eating
Nonna Scepa €€
( 0828 85 10 64; Via Laura 53; meals €30; )
There are various restaurants at the
site; however most serve mediocre food at inflated prices. Instead, seek out the superbly
prepared, robust dishes at midrange prices at Nonna Scepa, a family friendly restaurant
that's rapidly gaining a reputation throughout the region for excellence. Dishes are firmly
seasonal and, during the summer, concentrate on fresh seafood like the refreshingly
simple grilled fish with lemon.
Other popular choices include risotto with zucchini and artichokes, and spaghetti with
lobster.
CAMPANIAN
Information
Tourist Office
( 0828 81 10 16;
www.infopaestum.it
; Via Magna Crecia 887;
9am-1.30pm & 2.30-7pm Mon-Sat)
