Sacred Sites and Ancient Temples
This collection spans millennia of spiritual history in the Salerno province, from the exceptionally preserved 6th-century BCE Greek Doric temples of Paestum to medieval Christian landmarks. Key highlights include the massive First and Second Temples of Hera, the Temple of Athena—later repurposed as a church—and the 15th-century Collegiata di Santa Maria a Mare in Maiori. The list also features modern architectural interests like the Sacra Famiglia in Salerno and the historic Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria Maddalena in Armillis.
A Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
Located in Positano, this church is famous for its 13th-century Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna and its iconic dome covered in yellow, green, and blue majolica tiles.
B First Temple of Hera (also called "The Basilica")
Built around 530 BCE, this is the oldest temple in Paestum. It features an unusual nine-column facade and a central row of columns inside the main chamber.
C Temple of Athena (or Ceres. Later a Christian church)
The Temple of Athena is a Greek temple of Magna Graecia found at Paestum, in Capaccio Paestum, a comune in the province of Salerno in the…
D Second Temple of Hera (also called of Neptune or Poseidon)
The Temple of Hera II, is a Greek temple of Magna Graecia in Paestum, Campania, Italy.
E Collegiata di Santa Maria a Mare
This 13th-century church in Maiori features a dome decorated with colorful majolica tiles and a notable 15th-century carved wooden ceiling inside its three-aisled interior.
F Cattedrale di San Pantaleone
The main cathedral of Vallo della Lucania, this neoclassical structure was rebuilt in the 18th century and serves as a major religious center for the Cilento region.
G Abbazia di Santa Maria Maddalena in Armillis
A former Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th century. It features a blend of Romanesque and Baroque architecture and preserves a historic medieval cloister.
H Chiesa del Sacro Cuore
A Neo-Romanesque church built in the early 20th century near Salerno's central station, distinguished by its red-brick facade and tall bell tower.
I Chiesa Sacra Famiglia
A landmark of contemporary architecture designed by Paolo Portoghesi. This modern church is known for its circular geometry and innovative use of concrete, wood, and light.
J Chiesa di San Francesco
Established in 1405 near the coast in Maiori, this church features a Gothic portal and an interior updated with 18th-century Baroque decorations.
K Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine
A 17th-century Carmelite church in Nocera Inferiore featuring a Baroque interior and housing several significant works of local religious art.
L Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata
A 14th-century church originally connected to a Dominican convent, notable for its Renaissance-style marble altar and historic frescoes.
M Cappella di San Giuda Taddeo apostolo
A small historic chapel in Nocera Inferiore, formerly known as the Chapel of Purgatory, featuring 18th-century architectural details and local devotional art.
Santa Maria al castello
A sanctuary located within the medieval castle ruins of Lettere, preserving Byzantine-style frescoes and offering panoramic views of the Sarno valley.
Cosiddetta Terrazza di Zeus
An archaeological platform in ancient Velia that once supported a Greek temple dedicated to Zeus, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Tempio di Mater Matuta
A small temple in the Paestum archaeological park dedicated to the goddess of dawn and fertility, located near the ancient forum.
Asklepion
An ancient Greek healing sanctuary in Paestum dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine, used for ritual purification and medical practices.
Tempio anfiprostilo
A small Greek temple in Paestum featuring a double portico of columns at both the front and rear, typical of the Hellenistic period.
Tempio di Magna Mater
A Roman-era temple in Paestum dedicated to Cybele, the Great Mother, reflecting the religious changes of the site during Roman rule.
Altare del tempio di Hera
The monumental sacrificial altar located in front of the First Temple of Hera, where public religious ceremonies and offerings were conducted in antiquity.
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