Archaeology in Cilento
Just the names of the ancient cities Paestum, Velia and Roccagloriosa immediately bring to mind their historical importance. Real open-air museums full of important architectural treasures of the greek and roman ages. Every year many people come from all over the world to admire the temples, burial grounds and amphitheatres.Paestum
Paestum was originally a powerful and rich city of the Magna Grecia and then it became roman colony. Today, after meticulous archaeological works, it is possible to visit the ruins, one of the most complete attestations of greek and roman architecture. The most important places of interest are: the roman amphitheatre, numerous ancient houses, the museum housing handworks from Greece and Lucania, and of course the three magnificent Doric temples: the temple of Hera, the temple of Athena and the temple of Poseidon.
Velia
Velia was an active trading centre of the Magna Grecia between VI-V century .B.C. Here the ancient philosophic eleathic school of Parmenides and Zenone originated. Today it is possible to visit the excavations, near the railway station and not far from Ascea Marina. The ancient city houses: the Dock Area, Porta Marina, Porta Rosa, the Hellenic Spa, the Roman Spa, agorà, acropolis, the Southern District, the Archaic District.
Roccagloriosa
Roccagloriosa originates from Magna Grecia. In the III cent. B.C., it sided with Hannibal against Rome. Its name derives from its inhabitants' veneration for the Glorious Virgin. It is interesting to visit its archaeological excavations, attestations of settlements of the II millennium B.C., and its Antiquarium, housing finds of the ancient necropolis.
Museums
It is possible to relive Cilento history and culture in different museums
- The National Archaeological Museum in Paestum exhibit finds of archaeological excavations in Paestum and ruins of Hera's sanctuary at the mouth of the Sele river. The most famous find is "Tomba del Tuffatore" (The Tomb of the Diver)
- The Peasant Civilization Museum in Moio della Civitella is an extensive exhibition of rural culture and tradition.
- The Peasant Culture Ethnographic Museum in Morigerati houses textile and wooden handworks, typical tools, earthenware, holy hangings and missals.
- The Antiquarium in Palinuro houses finds of prehistoric ages. It is interesting to observe the stratification of settlements typical of this zone.
- Some interesting museums: Sea and Mediterranean diet Museum in Pioppi. Alburni Naturalistic Museum in Corleto Monforte. Poor Toy Museum in Massicelle. Vico Museum in Vatolla. Herb Museum in Teggiano. Cilento Natural History Museum in Laureana Cilento.
