Archaeological Park of Elea Velia

The ancient city of Elea, Velia for the Romans, was a cultural capital of the Mediterranean.
It was the homeland of Parmenides and Zeno, founders of the Eleatic philosophical school, and can be considered the cradle of Western philosophical thought.
The most valuable monument is the Porta Rosa, the oldest example of a full arch with a keystone, a synthesis of classical mathematical knowledge.
The Angioinian castle, built upon the foundations of an ancient temple, is also very suggestive.
Elea was founded in the second half of the 6th century BC by the Phocaean exiles fleeing Ionia (in present-day Turkey, near the Gulf of Smyrna) to escape the Persian invasion.
Before settling on the Cilentan coast, the Phocaeans attempted to establish themselves in Corsica, where they founded the city of Alalia, only to be driven out by a coalition of Etruscans and Carthaginians during the famous Battle of Alalia, which is considered the first great naval battle of antiquity. Recent excavations have uncovered numerous artifacts from that battle, which were possibly preserved for votive reasons in the Temple dedicated to Athena, located where today the medieval tower is visible.
After the negative outcome of the battle, the Phocaeans sought refuge on the Cilentan coast, just south of another important Magna Graecian colony, Paestum.
As skilled merchants, they preferred to buy the land between Punta Licosa and Palinuro, which they had occupied from the Etruscans.

Velia soon became known for its flourishing trade relations and government policies. Its philosophical school, known as the Eleatic School, founded by Parmenides and continued by his student Zeno, was of great importance. In the 4th century, it joined the league of Greek colonies against the Lucanians, who threatened Velia and had already occupied the nearby Poseidonia.

With Rome, Velia maintained excellent relations, even becoming a Roman city with the privilege of retaining the Greek language. It provided ships for the Punic Wars (3rd–2nd century BC) and sent young priestesses from the local aristocratic families to the cult of Demeter (Ceres). It ultimately became a place for Roman aristocrats to vacation and seek medical treatment, possibly thanks to the presence of the medical-philosophical school: both Cicero and Nero came here to treat their rheumatism.

The silting up of the port due to sediments carried by the Alento River and the construction of the Via Popilia, which passed southward through the Vallo di Diano, marked the end of Velia.

From the end of the imperial age, the last inhabitants were forced to take refuge in the upper part of the Acropolis and the surrounding high hills, including present-day Ascea, to escape the advancing marshy land.
During the Middle Ages, the small settlement around the castle, originally built by the Longobards and later perfected during the Angevin era, was called Castellammare della Bruca.

In the 19th century, archaeologist François Lenormant realized that the historical and cultural importance of the site was perfect for interesting studies and research. The early French school archaeologists who came to Velia were not particularly interested in the medieval remnants or the settlement of Castellammare della Bruca, except for the castle tower and two chapels, while the rest of the area was completely destroyed.

The visit to the excavations takes about two hours, and a guided tour can be booked either at our reception or during the booking of your stay on our Online Reception.