About this tour
The excavations of Velia, also known as the Archaeological Park of Elea-Velia, represent one of the most important cultural attractions in the Cilento region. Today they are located in the municipality of Ascea, in the province of Salerno, and are one of the most beautiful evidence of ancient settlements in the so-called Magna Graecia.
The town of Velia was renowned for being the center of the philosophical school of Zeno and Parmenides. Beyond, however, the eleatic school, Velia tells us much about the customs and daily life that animated the polis in the earliest times. In fact, its foundation would date back to 540 B.C. thanks to the contribution of the Turkish villagers of Phocaea who left the motherland after the Persian invasions.
These refugees sailed the Mediterranean Sea aimlessly and landed just south of the Gulf of Poseidonia in Cilento. The city was originally called Hyele, later becoming Elea and Velia in Roman times. The archaeological site extends over a higher area, the acropolis, and the hillsides further behind.
All around are perimeter walls that follow the natural contours of the land. Internally, however, there are 3 different neighborhoods that communicate with each other through valleys, one of which is characterized by the Pink Door, one of the earliest examples of round arches found in Italy.
It is important to point out that since 2020, the Archaeological Park of Elea-Velia has been incorporated into the Paestum Archaeological Park and still are a single autonomous entity. In addition to the archaeological finds of Elea, this cultural center also offers an interesting trail trekking, ideal for those who love hiking and nature. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia is open free to the public every first Sunday of the month.
What to see in the Archaeological Excavations of Elea-Velia
The excavations of Elea-Velia stand near the railway and not far from the seaside village of Ascea Marina. All that remains of ancient Velia is the port area, the Hellenistic baths, the Roman baths, Porta Marina, Porta Rosa, the agora, the acropolis, Archaic Quarter I and the southern quarter.
The trail through the site winds along a path that cuts across the length and breadth of the archaeological park area. The final destination is the acropolis located higher up, where you will also be able to observe the Tower of Velia, a turret erected in medieval times.
The walk starts from the lower town, an area where the ruins of buildings from the Hellenistic and Roman periods can be seen. Along the way there are several educational panels that provide useful information for tourists to learn about the history of the excavations. The actual access is near the southern Marina Gate, and among other things one can admire the Adriane Spa.
These date from the second century AD and show several calidarium and frigidarium rooms. Here there is also a beautiful black-and-white tile mosaic depicting sea monsters and animals. Continuing on, the path will become steeper and on the right you can see theagora which in more recent times has been considered a pagan shrine dedicated to Asclepius, a healing and medical deity.
This area is divided into 3 levels, of which the lower one consists of a rectangular building with a portico and fountain at the entrance. This building benefited from water from the Hyele spring located higher up.
Continuing uphill, you will reach theacropolis of Elea-Velia, the remains of which are clearly visible from the Gulf of Velia. On the summit it is possible to see what remains of a Roman theater and other medieval buildings, including the aforementioned Tower of Velia, the Palatine Chapel, and the church of Santa Maria.
Excluding the acropolis, the other major attraction of the Elea-Velia excavations is the Pink Door, a viaduct placed between the two peaks of the acropolis itself. The round arch did not function so much as a gateway, but served more to contain the walls of the gorge in which it was set. In the third century BC. Porta Rosa was buried and remained buried for the next 2,000 years. Only in 1964 was it brought back to light.
