Cuma Archaeological Park

Cuma (Cumae) is an archaeological park on the coast of the Campi Flegrei, in the municipality of Pozzuoli, Campania, Italy, about 20 km west of Naples. Founded in the 8th century BC, it is regarded as the first Greek colony on the Italian mainland and later became a Roman town. The park entrance is at Via Montenuovo Licola Patria 1. Without a car, the journey takes about one hour: the EAV Cumana train from Napoli Montesanto to Fusaro or Torregaveta takes about 40-50 minutes for roughly EUR 1.70-2.50, and then an EAV local bus or taxi covers the last stretch, so the current bus connection should be checked at eavsrl.it. By car, the trip takes roughly 30-40 minutes via the Tangenziale to Arco Felice, and parking is available near the entrance. Within the park, the best-known site is the Antro della Sibilla, the Sibyl's Cave, a long trapezoidal gallery cut into the tufa that tradition associates with the Cumaean Sibyl of Virgil's Aeneid. The acropolis above the sea holds the remains of the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Jupiter, with wide views over the coast, and the Roman Crypta and the Arco Felice, a monumental brick arch on the ancient road, add further interest. A suggested one-day arc is to reach the park in the morning, spend about two hours on the cave and acropolis, then continue to Lake Averno for a short lakeside walk, lunch in Pozzuoli or Baia, and an afternoon at Baia's castle or a swim at Miseno before returning. Spring and autumn are best, as summer afternoons are hot with little shade. Entry costs a few euros and is often included in the Campi Flegrei combined ticket, which can be checked at campiflegrei.beniculturali.it. Food stops are limited near the park, so visitors usually eat in Pozzuoli or around Lake Averno. Water, a hat and comfortable shoes are advisable because of the uneven paths and the climb to the acropolis.