Italy Photos 2011 (4): Paestum and Ostia Antica

July 19, 2011

Italy Photos 2011 (4): Paestum and Ostia Antica

Sunday July 10, 2011: En Route to Paestum

Following the advice on a travel blog, I took a boat from Positano to Salerno,

a port city south of Naples. From Salerno, I took a train to Paestum.

The entire journey from Rome to Paestum is about 5 hours,

not counting rest-stops and ocean-swims.

Looking back on the boat

View of Ravello, a mountain town between Amalfi and Positano.

Sunbathers on a little jet

Amalfi

Views of Amalfi. I haven't yet visited, but hope to next time I travel in this direction!

Views from the boat.

Arriving in Salerno. This reminded me of the pier in Pacifica, CA.

Sunday July 10, 2011: Paestum

Paestum, once called Poseidonia (after Poseidon) is several hours south of Naples, in an area called Campania. It was founded by the Greeks around 600 B.C. From 400 B.C. to 273 B.C. it was inhabited by an Italian population called the Lucans, who were then conquered by the Romans, who named the town Paestum. Deforestation and clogged river mouths caused the malaria which ultimately destroyed Pasetum. The ruins were discovered in 1752, when they were building a modern road through the town.

Temple of Athena. Temples to Athena were always built upon hills.

Temple of Athena

Temple of Hera (Juno)...once thought to be the Temple of Poseidon. The Museo del Paestum is filled with clay statues of females offered to Hera for her blessings of fertility.

Temple of Hera

The old gymnasium

View of the Temple of Athena

Delicious Caprese! Those aren't eggs, they are balls of Mozzerella di Bufula. Also, prosciutto crudo, tomatoes, pickled mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and olives, served with bread (the beer's not mine).

Old wall in Pasetum..looking back from the train station

Brief stopover in Rome...

Brief stop at our corner bar/cafe' in Rome

Check out the twisty bamboo!

Tuesday July 12, 2011: Trip to Ostia Antica

Beautiful colors. Ostia Antica used to be the port city of Rome

Mosaic on Floor

Liliana found this great, sculptural piece of rubble

This was the old amphitheater. It used to be covered in white marble,
and people brought cushions to sit upon. Romans enjoyed plays with dialogue,
while the Greeks before them preferred singing.

We discussed how the Greeks built amphitheaters into hillsides,
as to use the natural shape of the surroundings; whereas,
the Romans built theirs free-standing, as if to defy nature.

Comedic heads on the stage of the amphitheater

Temple of the Good Goddess. Does anyone know more about her?
The statue resembled the Statue of Liberty, reclining on her side with her arm
draped over a bearded man's head. Two Pans guarded the temple with their flute.
Her forum was triangular instead of rectangular, which is the typical shape in Rome.