The Sanctuary of Hera at the mouth of the Sele River, also known as the Heraion of the Sele, was one of the most important religious centres associated with ancient Poseidonia.
It lies around 9–10 kilometres north of Paestum, close to the River Sele, in an area that marked the northern boundary of the territory controlled by the Greek city.
Dedicated to Hera Argiva, the sanctuary was not only an important place of worship but also a symbolic landmark between the Greek territory of Poseidonia and the communities living north of the Sele.
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- Parent Category: Paestum
- Category: Paestum: Archaeological Area, Temples and Museum
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The Tomb of the Diver is one of the most famous works preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum and an exceptional example of Greek painting from the 5th century BC.
Dating to around 480–470 BC, it takes its name from the extraordinary scene painted on the covering slab: a naked young man diving from a stone structure into a pool of water.
The tomb was discovered in 1968 in the necropolis of Tempa del Prete, south of ancient Poseidonia, during excavations directed by archaeologist Mario Napoli.
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- Category: Paestum: Archaeological Area, Temples and Museum
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The National Archaeological Museum of Paestum is an essential part of any visit to the ancient city. Located beside the archaeological area, it houses objects discovered at Poseidonia-Paestum and in the surrounding territory, allowing visitors to understand the history behind the temples and monuments visible outside.
Founded in 1952, the museum has grown considerably over the decades. Its exhibition was completely renewed and expanded in 2023, creating a modern journey through the history of Paestum from its earliest origins to the Greek, Lucanian and Roman periods.
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The great temples are the most famous monuments of Paestum, but the remains of the ancient city's houses reveal another equally important aspect of its history: the everyday life of its inhabitants.
Residential buildings occupied the blocks defined by the city's street network and were repeatedly constructed, enlarged and transformed over the centuries. Beneath Roman houses, archaeologists have discovered traces of earlier Greek and Lucanian buildings.
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The Amphitheatre of Paestum is one of the most important monuments of the Roman city. It stands just north-east of the Forum and provides valuable evidence of the transformation of ancient Poseidonia after the establishment of Roman rule.
The first phase of the building probably dates to the middle of the 1st century BC, around 50 BC, making it an early example of a monumental Roman amphitheatre.
The building was used for public entertainment, particularly gladiatorial combats and other spectacles held in the arena.
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- Parent Category: Paestum
- Category: Paestum: Archaeological Area, Temples and Museum
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Discover the Roman Amphitheatre of Paestum and its gladiatorial games