We took the train for about 45 minutes south to Paestum. This area was settled by Greek colonists starting around 600 BCE. These colonists recreated all the trappings of Greece, from Temples, to a Tumulus, to male and female baths even a perfumery! The temples are recognized as the best preserved examples of this type of Greek architecture in the world. It was a delightful day with full sun and a cool breeze every so often to take the edge off. We toured the three temples and the remains of the town as well. There were mosaics from the baths, the remains of a large pool, several impluvium pools and row after row of former houses. We took a break midway and ate our picnic lunch. After we finished up it was time to head to the museum.
The train keeps a rolling
We took a taxi to the archeological park
Right off the bat there are artifacts
Beautiful trees
Magnificent Temple of Hera II
Not only are all the interior columns still standing
But also the various rock layers on the top
Layers of travertine and sandstone
Above the first layer is a partial second layer
So much fun
2500 years old!
This is some kind of amazing
Built to last
Lots of trees in the perimeter
Only one small section is missing
Some sample war machines were displayed on the perimeter
Hera I in the foreground and Hera II in the background
Hera I is less intact but still very impressive. It took 40 years to construct from 560 BCE to 520 BCE
A restaurant next door
It looked like a good place to eat
One of four gates from the olden times, in this direction was the port
A horse of a different color
Stylized but not antient
An Italian wall lizard
The interior of Hera I temple
The town was not built
The floor of the baths had this fine mosaic
Neptune and the denizens of the sea
One of the houses had a big pool
A unique feature is the stone platform at one end
A wooden platform could be placed on top and rituals dedicated to the goddess Venus would be performed, offerings presented and women bathed to purify themselves
Looking back at the Hera II
Who might this be?
Bride and groom
Survey time
We were struck at the meticulous nature of the excavation and wondered about the physical toll
An impluvium pool, once used to collect the rainwater that came through the skylight in the roof
Columns have survived here and there
The marble press used in the perfumery
Flowers were placed in the center and pressed down with a wooden plunger
The essential oils oozed out the sides and were collected at the spigot
Approaching the other side of the town where the Temple of Athena stands
Lets head over
This side of town was settled later by Romans and their houses were larger and more elaborate
This is a heroon, a type of ceremonial tomb. Actual burials were forbidden withing the walls of the city so this honorary tomb was dedicated the to founder of the town
There was a circular roof to the building. Within the heroon were fine artifacts such as bronze vessels filled with honey, amphora and five iron spits on a stone table. This was built in 510 BCE and remained unmolested the entire time that this area was inhabited
Old yeller came to say hi
His sidekick came too
Also well preserved the temple of Athens is 510 BCE
In the middle ages it was used a a barn
Good digs for the animals
Our last column
Western house martins were swooping all about
This area was known for rose production
Two set of blooms could be harvested each year and made into perfume
We thought that the scent was quite nice
The auditorium is over by the museum, our next stop
