(map) 
…and very Dramatic. That first sight of the temples of Paestum releases something potent into the bloodstream.
How are these three extraordinary structures still standing in their glossy green meadow, the stone not “recycled” over the past 2,500 years?
Greek colonists built the walled city of Poseidonia, later Paestum, around the end of the 7th century (that’s BC, folks). Two temples were raised to Hera, goddess of women and marriage and one to warrior (and wisdom) goddess Athena – a triumph, at least in number, of the domestic over the warlike.
The Romans added an amphitheatre and a forum and there is much that lies hidden, yet to be explored. But no future discovery will have the visual impact of the 
strangely tapering columns with their capitals looking quite a bit like… squashed bagels.
As to why the temples are still here – step forward… the mosquito! Malarial swamps protected the site throughout the Middle Ages. fortunately the only thing you’ll catch now is a unique aesthetic thrill.
– Written by Penny Ewles-Bergeron (see bio), writer, artist, … finding the many good things in Naples.
What did the mosquito and swamp have to do with preserving Paestum?
Love it-Need followup that shows which columns are which-always confusing them in crossword puzzles!
Mosquitos+swamp=malaria!! After probably having been drained in ancient times, and then things falling apart (drainage ditches not being cleaned regularly and filling in), folks moved out of the area due to the malaria. (This occurred across the board in many areas of the fallen empire) Thus with nobody living there needing convenient building material close by to build new buildings, the temples remained quite intact.
This is for Tamryn …the site’s in italian but the pictures are pretty clear!!!
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitello
I loved Penny Ewles-Bergeron’s Italian note about Paestum. It is an enchanting place and was my first time experiencing Greek architecture – thank you Rick Steves for guiding me there. I loved the surrounding meadow and countryside. It allowed us to give our full attention to ancient thoughts. I hope Penny will paint that dramatic site someday!
Kevin