Paestum lies just at the beginning of Cilento. It is one of the most important archaeological places in all Italy, well-known all over the world through its spectacular temples. Paestum was founded by the habitants of Sibari in the 7th century BC. The first city was called Poseidonia. It became one of the most prosperous centers of the Mediterranean Sea. The decline period began with the fall of the Roman Empire. The buldings were dismantled to be used for the construction of churches and palaces and the ruins were forgotten until the 18th century. The great wonders of the Archeological Park are the doric temples of the 5th century BC, within the best conserved ones of the antiquity. The Archeological Museum of Paestum is situated not far from the excavations, in which have been conserved some of the most important masterpieces of south Italy.