On the tip of Posillipo, overlooking the sea between Marechiaro and the Gaiola, lie the remains of one of the most spectacular Roman villas on the gulf: the Pausilypon, whose Greek name means something like «respite from worries». It was built in the 1st century BC by the wealthy knight Publius Vedius Pollio and, on his death, passed to the emperor Augustus.
What to see
Of the great complex, which once stretched down to the sea, today you can visit the theatre, with its tiers of seats facing the gulf, the odeon and some rooms of the villa. The view is one of the finest in Naples: Nisida, the Campi Flegrei and, on clear days, Capri and Ischia. Below, in the sea, lies the Gaiola Underwater Park, with more remains of the villa.
The Grotta di Seiano
You reach the Pausilypon through the Grotta di Seiano, a Roman tunnel about 770 metres long dug into the tuff of the hill, which linked the villa with the Coroglio area and the Campi Flegrei. Walking through it is already half the experience.
Planning your visit
Opening times and visiting arrangements for the park change throughout the year, often with guided tours and advance booking: always check before you go. The entrance is on Discesa Coroglio. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water in summer; the visit pairs well with a stroll in Marechiaro or a kayak trip in the Gaiola Underwater Park.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best times: the climate is mild and the light over the gulf is splendid, especially towards sunset. In summer it is best to choose morning visits and combine them with a swim at Marechiaro or a trip into the Gaiola Underwater Park. In the summer months the villa's theatre sometimes hosts shows and concerts: a special way to see it, with the sea behind you.
Nearby
From the Pausilypon it is easy to walk down to Marechiaro, a fishing village with its famous «fenestella» (little window), and to the Gaiola. Heading west you reach Nisida and the Campi Flegrei, with Pozzuoli, the Rione Terra and the Serapeum.
Read also: Marechiaro and the Gaiola Underwater Park
