Excavations of Velia - Elea

 

The Romans called this town Velia, while the Greeks called it Elea. Its excavations are one of the treasures of the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano. The remains of this ancient city are located in the territory of Ascea Marina, a significant tourist destination situated between Agropoli and Palinuro. The strategic geographic position of Velia (Elea), at the center of ancient trade routes between Greece and Etruria, contributed to its wealth and power. Today, the excavations make this area even more appealing to tourists visiting the Cilento coast.

The perfect combination of sea and culture is what makes many Italian destinations unique, and this is no exception. Tourists can enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Agropoli, Santa Maria di Castellabate, Acciaroli, Pioppi, Palinuro, or Marina di Camerota in the morning, and in the afternoon, they can experience the excitement of walking through the picturesque streets or the forum of Velia, where prominent philosophers of the Eleatic school, such as Parmenides, Zeno, and Melissus, once walked. The ancient acropolis of Elea (Velia) is home to an interesting medieval fortification, which now hosts captivating open-air theater performances. One of the highlights of these excavations is the famous 'Porta Rosa', a unique example of a 4th-century Greek arch and a true architectural gem of that era.
(>> Go to the Excavations of Velia photo gallery <<)

 

 

 

The Velia excavations are located in a central position relative to the main tourist destinations in the Cilento Park, such as Palinuro, Marina di Camerota, Ascea, and Casalvelino. They are approximately 40 km from another extremely important city of Magna Graecia: Paestum. Visiting the excavations of these two magnificent Greek cities is recommended to deepen one's understanding of the Greek world in Southern Italy. For lovers of archaeology and history, it may be interesting to combine a visit to the excavations of Pompeii, which is about 120 km away, and the entire Vesuvian area, whose archaeological sites are close to the beautiful beach resorts of the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. Here, it is possible to dive into the early Middle Ages by visiting Amalfi, the capital of the famous Amalfi Republic, or explore the wonderful Positano.