Lampadodromia of Capaccio Paestum
The torchlight race from ancient Poseidonia to the temples of Paestum
About Lampadodromia
The torchlight race reborn from ancient Poseidonia
The Lampadodromia is a historical-sporting re-enactment that reignites the memory of the Greek city of Poseidonia in Capaccio Paestum, in the province of Salerno. It is a torch relay inspired by the race held in antiquity, where athletes ran around the city walls, passing a lit torch at the towers. Today, the baton remains a living flame, and the finish line is the same: the archaeological site of Paestum, home to one of the best-preserved Doric temple complexes in the Mediterranean.
Districts in competition
The heart of the event is the challenge between the districts of Capaccio Paestum: Capaccio Capoluogo, Capaccio Scalo, Borgonuovo, Cafasso, Capo di Fiume, Gromola, Rettifilo, and Santa Venere field their own teams of torchbearers, treating the race eve as a matter of local pride. Over the years, the format has expanded to include Cilento municipalities, with a second race comparing towns in the district and transforming the Lampadodromia into a defining event for the entire territory.
The route and the Tripod of Victory
The race traditionally starts at Piazza Santini in Capaccio Scalo. From there, runners take Viale della Repubblica and Via Magna Graecia, the axis connecting the modern part of the town to the archaeological zone, alternating in a series of exchanges. The final torchbearer enters the temple area and lights the Tripod of Victory: it is the most photographed moment of the evening, with the flame rising just steps from the Temple of Neptune while the crowd gathers along the barriers. The awards ceremony then brings together teams, families, and officials for a festive finale.
Inside the Poseidoniadi project
Since 2026, the Lampadodromia has been part of the Poseidoniadi, a historical-sporting program promoted by the Municipality of Capaccio Paestum and the Lampadodromia Association to revive the athletic disciplines of Magna Graecia. Alongside the torch race, the Hoplitodromia (the race of armed men) is featured in a school version with local students. The project has received support from ARUS, the Regional Agency for Universiadi and Sport, and private sponsors, signaling a clear choice: using sport as a key to narrate archaeology.
An event uniting sport, history, and community
- Evening relay with a lit torch, open to district teams
- Spectacular finish in the archaeological area of Paestum
- Lighting of the Tripod of Victory in front of the Doric temples
- Awards ceremony with districts and municipal authorities
- Free public access along the city route
Why it's worth the trip
Seeing a flame pass from hand to hand along the road leading to the temples is an unforgettable experience: the Lampadodromia is not just a running race, but a civic ritual through which the Cilento community claims its Greek heritage. Visitors arriving in Capaccio Paestum for this occasion will also find one of the most tourist-rich areas in Campania, between the Paestum and Velia Archaeological Park, the beaches of Laura and Torre di Paestum, and the cuisine of Cilento, home of the buffalo mozzarella and a recognized cradle of the Mediterranean diet.
Lampadodromia — edition 2026
The twentieth edition opens the Poseidoniadi
The 2026 edition of the Lampadodromia marked the milestone of the twentieth edition and served as the flagship race of the Poseidoniadi, the historical-sporting project with which the Municipality of Capaccio Paestum and the Lampadodromia Association brought back the athletic disciplines of Magna Graecia with the support of ARUS and private sponsors.
Sixteen teams, ninety-six torchbearers
At 9:00 PM on Sunday, June 28, the start from Piazza Santini: sixteen teams, for a total of ninety-six torchbearers, exchanged the torch five times along the main arteries of the city, from Viale della Repubblica to Via Magna Graecia. The finish line was set in the archaeological area, just steps from the Temple of Neptune, where the first torchbearer to arrive lit the Tripod of Victory, the most anticipated moment of the evening.
The event's surroundings
The race was preceded on May 28 by the Hoplitodromia reserved for primary schools, held in the Santa Venere hot air balloon area. The team awards ceremony took place at Villa Salati, concluding a day designed to bring residents and visitors closer to the history of Magna Graecia through spectacular events and re-enactments.
Programme Lampadodromia 2026
Sunday, June 28, 2026 — 20th Lampadodromia
- 9:00 PM — Start from Piazza Santini, Capaccio Scalo
- Relay with five exchanges along Viale della Repubblica and Via Magna Graecia
- 16 teams competing for a total of 96 torchbearers
- Arrival in the Archaeological Area of Paestum, near the Temple of Neptune
- Lighting of the Tripod of Victory by the winning torchbearer
- Followed by the awards ceremony at Villa Salati
Thursday, May 28, 2026 — Hoplitodromia (related event)
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Santa Venere hot air balloon area
- Challenge between fifth-grade classes of the Comprehensive Institutes of Capaccio Capoluogo and Capaccio Paestum
- Teams of four students (two boys and two girls), 96-meter relay (48 out and 48 back) with exchange of helmet, breastplate, shield, and greaves
- Entertainment by 35 Megahertz Animation with the re-enactment of the Greek deities Hestia, Artemis, and Apollo
Highlights Lampadodromia 2026
- Twentieth edition of the torchlight race
- 16 teams and 96 torchbearers competing
- Evening relay with five exchanges through the streets of Capaccio Paestum
- Arrival in the archaeological area next to the Temple of Neptune
- Lighting of the Tripod of Victory
- Awards ceremony at Villa Salati
- First race of the 2026 Poseidoniadi program
Prices Lampadodromia 2026
Practical information — Lampadodromia
How to get there
Capaccio Paestum can be reached by car via the A2 del Mediterraneo motorway (Battipaglia exit), continuing on the SS18 towards Paestum. By train, the reference station is Paestum, on the Salerno-Sapri line, just a few minutes' walk from the archaeological area; the Capaccio Scalo stop is also useful, being close to the starting zone. The most convenient airports are Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi and Naples Capodichino.
Where to watch the race
The route crosses Capaccio Scalo along Viale della Repubblica and Via Magna Graecia up to the entrance of the archaeological site: you can watch freely from any point along the way. For the finish and the lighting of the tripod, it is advisable to position yourself early near the temples, where the largest crowds gather.
Tips
- The race takes place in the evening: a light sweater is useful even in mid-summer
- The roads involved are closed to traffic, so it is best to park in the designated areas and continue on foot
- Combine with a visit to the Paestum Archaeological Park and the National Archaeological Museum
- The area offers numerous farmhouses and dairies: it is the perfect opportunity for a buffalo mozzarella tasting
Information
Municipality of Capaccio Paestum — Tourism, Sport, Entertainment, Leisure and Culture Office — tel. +39 0828 812111 — comune.capaccio.sa.it
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Where does it take place — Lampadodromia
Da Piazza Santini all'Area Archeologica di Paestum