Parco Archeologico di Eleia-Velia (Sito UNESCO)
Ancient city of Eleia, which derives its name from the local source Hyele, was founded around 540 BC from a group of Greek refugees from the city of Phocaea, in present day Turkey. In Roman times it was called Velia. In the Middle Ages, the town withdrew the Acropolis, which is built a castle. The architectural structures of the ancient city are immersed in a vast area of lush Mediterranean vegetation and olive groves, providing a splendid combination of archeology and nature. The visit, with educational panels, starting from the lower city, where most of the buildings date back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Before the walls is a necropolis of the Imperial Age (I-II century AD) which are visible individual burials and funerary enclosures collective. Access real town is through South Marine Gate, protected by a square tower of which is possible to distinguish two construction phases (V and III century BC), to the right is a public building with a cryptoporticus witj three arms, dating Augustan age, interpreted as a gymnasium or medical school; left, however, is an array of four domus of imperial age. Towards the Cobellis Masseria came to light a fine public building older middle-Imperial, marked by a spectacular facility on two levels along its axis, a nymph and thermae. Along the Via di Porta Rosa, meet the Hadrian Baths (second century AD), decorated by beautiful mosaic with black and white tiles depicting animals and sea monsters. On the ascent, the Asclepius's Temple, on three levels, surrounded by a portico and a fountain. Going up to the Acropolis, is the oldest town of Velia (VI century BC), which are the ruins of houses lined up along a road and a Roman theater.
