Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Ostia Antica
An easy and enjoyable day trip from Rome, Ostia Antica is one of Lazio's prize sights.
Ostia (referring to the mouth or
ostium
of the Tiber) was ancient Rome's main sea port
and its excavated ruins are wonderfully complete, like a smaller version of Pompeii.
Founded in the 4th century BC, the city had a population of around 50,000 at its height
and was an important defensive and commercial centre. Decline came in the 5th century
AD when barbarian invasions and the outbreak of malaria led to the abandonment of the
city, and its slow burial - up to 2nd-floor level - in river silt, hence its survival. Pope
Gregory IV re-established the town in the 9th century.
Sights
Scavi Archeologici
di Ostia Antica
( 06 5635 2830;
www.ostiaantica.net
; Viale dei Romagnoli 717; adult/reduced €6.50/3.75;
8.30am-7.15pm Tue-Sun Apr-Oct, to 6pm Mar, to 5pm Nov-Feb, last admission 1hr before closing)
Ostia's
ruins are spread out and you'll need a few hours to do them justice. Note also that the site
gets busy at weekends but is often empty during the week.
From the
Porta Romana
near the ticket office, the
Decumanus Maximus
, the city's main
strip, runs over 1km to
Porta Marina
, a gate which originally led out to the sea.
On the Decumanus, the
Terme di Nettuno
is one of the site's highlights. This baths com-
plex, one of 20 that originally stood in town, dates from Hadrian's 2nd-century renovation
of the port and boasts some superb mosaics, including a stunning depiction of Neptune
driving his sea-horse chariot, surrounded by sea monsters, mermaids and mermen. In the
centre of the complex are the remains of a large arcaded courtyard called the
Palaestra
, in
which athletes used to train.
Next to the Terme is a good-sized
Teatro
(amphitheatre), built by Agrippa and later en-
larged to hold 4000 people. Climb to the top and look out and you'll get a good overview
of the site.
RUIN
