Ostia – Harbour city of Ancient Rome
The ancient Roman city of Ostia was in antiquity situated at the mouth of the river Tiber, some 30 km (19 miles) to the west of Rome. The shoreline moved seawards, due to silting, from the Middle Ages until the 19th century. Therefore Ostia is today still lying next to the Tiber, but at a distance of some three kilometres (1.9 miles) from the beach.
Ancient Roman City, Ostia, Tiber, Roman Harbour, Scavi di Ostia Antica,
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Ostia – Harbour city of Ancient Rome

The ancient Roman city of Ostia was in antiquity situated at the mouth of the river Tiber, some 30 km (19 miles) to the west of Rome. The shoreline moved seawards, due to silting, from the Middle Ages until the 19th century. Therefore Ostia is today still lying next to the Tiber, but at a distance of some three kilometres (1.9 miles) from the beach.

Ostia, the first Roman colony, became immediately a river port acquiring a commercial function to supply Rome with food stuff, particularly wheat, even if its strategic military function as naval base certainly prevailed.

Ostia is Latin for “mouth”, the mouth of the Tiber. The river was used as harbour, but in the Imperial period two harbour basins were added to the north, near Leonardo da Vinci airport. The harbour district was called Portus, Latin for “harbour”.

The large archeological site is noted for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings, magnificent frescoes and impressive mosaics.

Insula of the Muses (fresco detail, room 5)

Getting There:
5 minutes walk from the Hotel Columbia to Termini. Take the metro line B, direction Laurentina, get off at Piramide. Take the Ostia Lido train from Stazione San Paolo (next to Piramide) and get off at Ostia Antica.
From the Station 9 minutes signed walk to the Scavi Entrance.

Address:
Scavi di Ostia Antica
Via dei Romagnoli 717
Ph +39 0656350215
official website

 

Thermopolium (central room)

Skip the queue:
Purchase and print the tickets in advance.
Go directly to the turnstiles without making the queue at the ticket office.
Tickets online

Current opening and admission prices can be viewed at the opening hours.

from the last Sunday in October to February, 15th
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
from February, 16th to March, 15th
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
from March 16th to the last Saturday
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
from the last Sunday in March to August, 31st
8:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m.
from September, 1st to September, 30th
8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
from October, 1st to the last Sunday in October
8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

CLOSED: ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 25TH, JANUARY 1ST and MAY 1ST.

Free entrance on the first Sunday of every month.

The decorated houses can be visited on Sunday morning at 10:30 only with advance reservations at +39 0656358044.

Theater

Where to eat:

Caffetteria03

CAFFETTERIA DEGLI SCAVI
inside the scavi area
Ph +39 0656350008

 

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RISTORANTE IL MONUMENTO
outside the scavi area, you will not be able to enter again
Piazza Umberto I, 8
Ph +39 065650021
closed on Monday

Baths of Neptune (entrance from the Decumanus Maximus)