Elea, in Roman times known as Velia, is an ancient polis of Magna Graecia. The site is located in the municipality of Ascea, in the province of Salerno, within the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano.
It was known for its flourishing commercial relationships, which also assumed considerable cultural importance for its pre-Socratic philosophical school, known as the Eleatic school, founded by Parmenides and carried on by Zeno.
What remains of the ancient city are in the port area: the Porta Marina, Porta Rosa - which is the most ancient example of a round arch in Italy, the Hellenistic Baths, the Roman Baths, the Agora, the Acropolis, the Southern district and the Archaic district.