The Acropolis and the Castle
The promontory was the first area occupied by Greek settlers, and indeed, a wide road surrounded by houses has been found, built with the typical Focaean technique, which led from the rocky spur to the beach. Around 480 - 460 BC.
The entire district was cleared to allow for the expansion of the area dedicated to the sanctuary overlooking the city (probably dedicated to Athena). Around 300 BC, the Acropolis area was equipped with a theater. The current theater is a reconstruction from the Roman period and could hold up to 2000 spectators. With the decline of the city, already cut off from trade routes during the Roman Empire period, Velia experienced a slow and inexorable abandonment, also due to the danger posed by Saracen pirates.
Of the vast urban area, only the Acropolis maintained a small settlement enclosed within a small castle called Castellum Maris (the construction date of its first structure is set between the 10th and 11th centuries AD) built on the remains of the base of the ancient pagan temple. The main tower of the fortress that currently dominates the landscape is from the Angevin period.
Next to it is a reconstruction by the Archaeological Superintendence of Salerno.
