Ostia antica guide and visiting tips rome day trip. This video is about ostia antica, italy established in the 7th century bc perhaps one of the best preserved ancient roman cities in the world. You can walk through the ruins of shops, theaters, and avenues. Guests can enjoy local cuisine at the restaurant and drinks at the bar. The coastline between lido di ostia and the municipality of fiumicino is extremely uniform both from a morphological point of view because of the presence of the tiber and of an ecosystem characterized by sand dunes and mediterranean scrub, and from a historical point of view because the river itself has been for centuries the main road between the sea and the capital of the roman. They came from gregoriopolis, modern ostia antica, and followed the old via ostiensis and decumanus maximus. Although the romans referred to the site as ostia, this article will use the term ostia antica, so as to avoid confusion with the modern roman municipio of ostia known officially as lido di ostia. During the wars between marius and sulla, marius attacked ostia to cut off the food supply co. Ostia antica archeological ruins port mobility civitavecchia.
Check the website for up to date hours and other important information that is subject to change. With a section about the renaissance borgo sonia gallico on. Ostia s fate was tied closely to that of the empire. What you see with only a few other tourists is the size and scope of. Wandering around the ruins today, youll see the remains of the docks. Visit the ruins of ostia antica near rome travel addicts. Ostia antica was attacked by marius during the civil wars. Ive been trying to do a lot of research for this trip and reading a lot im having a hard time trying to research everything i need to know so i appreciate the help and advice. Ancus marcius is said to have ruled over the roman kingdom between 640 and 617 bc. We took a day trip from rome to ostia antica the first week of april. It is located a 2minute walk from ostia antica and has ticket service. A short drive outside of rome, you will find yourself amidst the ruins of the ancient roman city, ostia antica at its earliest 1400400 bc, the thriving city was located at the mouth of the tiber river, but due to silting, it is now situated approximately 3 kilometers from the river.
It was one of our highlights of the week we spent in rome. Ostia antica is an extraordinary roman site that contains the ruins of the ancient port town that served as the gateway to rome. There is an exhaustive selection about history and wonders of ostia antica, from a simple souvenir to a precious paper copy of historical literature. Due to its historical and urban peculiarities, ostia boasts numerous publications dedicated to her. Ostia antica, or the city without the volcano, is at the mouth ostium of the tiber river. We do love history and old ruins so now i will definitely make time for ostia antica as well if not all 3.
Ancient ostia day trip from rome by train group of 12. Ostia antica is a large archaeological site, close to the modern town of ostia, that is the location. From the resultant harris matrix, a more nuanced history of ostia can emerge. Ostia antica is a massive archeological site situated at the mouth of the tiber river. The exploitment became fundamental together with the role of the port. It was romes port two millennia ago, but no history changing event happened there. Getting to ostia antica from rome is only a 45minute combination metrotrain ride. This military camp, called ostia from the latin word ostium meaning mouth of the river, was established at a distance of around 16 miles from rome, as a military outpost to keep under control not only the access to the tiber, but also its lower course and nearby areas, in order to defend rome.
Therefore ostia is today still lying next to the tiber, but at a distance of some. Ricerche su ostia e il suo territorio openedition books. There are sometimes special hours available in the summer, with the last entrance moved to 6. On your ostia antica tour you ll learn all about the history of the town, and enjoy an atmospheric, authentic roman experience, without the crowds. Here you will find information for professional archaeologists and historians, for students of roman archaeology and history, and for interested laypeople. Thanks to this city born at the mouth of the tiber ostia comes from latin ostium, door took place an unceasing and invaluable trade with rome. In 2014 ruins on the north side of the river opposite the city were discovered. The archeological site of ostia antica lies about 25 kilometers, or 15.
To navigate the timeline, click and drag it with your mouse, or click on the timeline overview on the bottom. I would say as impressive as pompeii, and not nearly as. When the bus comes, expect a 20 minute ride through the centre of town, on the highway past the edge of ostia antica, and other interesting bits of ruins, and finally on a multilane divided road. The train also goes to to ostia lido or ostia stella polare if youre looking to spend some time at the beach. The ancient romans regarded ostia antica as their first colony and according to tradition the city was founded by ancus marcius, the legendary fourth king of rome. We took our time exploring and used ricks audio guide.
Just half an hour from central rome by train, ostia antica has all the inspiration of pompeii without the throngs of tourists. How about a 2000 yearold mosaic of someones favorite mules. Ostia served as a busy commercial port town crammed with people from all over the roman empire. May 10, 20 early history ostia began its existence as a small settlement of native peoples in, perhaps, the 14th century bce and was established in order to exploit the salt marshes to the immediate east.
If you book with viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. Ostia was a port of republican rome and a commercial centre under the empire after 27 bce. The harbour of ancient rome, ostia antica, served as perhaps one of the most important hubs of commerce for the roman republic and later the roman empire. These are the ruins of ostia antica, once a port city. The ruins of ostia antica are a fascinating and mysterious timeless place. The ruins of ostia antica are a fascinating and mysterious timeless place to fully understand the greatness of rome you must pass through here and walk among the remains of what used to be in imperial times a very important commercial and port city. Ostia was ancient romes seaport, the ancient roman city of ostia was in antiquity situated at the mouth of the river tiber, some 30 kilometres to the west of rome. I would say as impressive as pompeii, and not nearly as many people. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Glancing among dozens of editorial works you will be able to choose the book you like the most and take it back home with you.
At the peak of romes power, the city had 100,000 inhabitants hard to imagine looking at todays ruins. Tradition says that ostia was founded by ancus marcius, the 4th king of rome, who lived during the second half of the 7th century b. This website is dedicated to ostia, the harbour city of ancient rome. The romans considered ostia their first colony and attributed its founding for the purpose of salt production to their fourth king, ancus marcius 7th century bce. Ostias fate was tied closely to that of the empire. Embark on a fascinating voyage back in time on our ostia antica tour, and explore the magnificently preserved remains of the roman empires most important port.
Visit ostia antica rome 2020 all you need to know before. The visions ancient ostia guide book, with detailed history of its monuments and. Thought to be the first roman colony, ostia antica was the harbour city of ancient rome and is noted for its impressive mosaics, frescoes and wellpreserved ruins, which give a glimpse into how life was 2000 years ago. However, their loss is your gain join a small group tour of ostia antica and explore the evocative, labyrinthine ruins of this intriguing town. While ostia is outside of the city of rome, it was still in the middle of some of the most interesting chapters of roman history. To fully understand the greatness of rome you must pass through here and walk among the remains of what used to be in imperial times a very important commercial and port city. You can get a train there from the ostia train station, as i recall its only about a half hour and they run very frequently. The 10 best hotels near ostia antica in ostia antica, italy. The rise of christianity in ancient ostia brewminate. Ostia is the name of the most important city of the lycian alliance in the fire emblem series. Ostia antica one of the best preserved roman cities in. Situated at the mouth, or ostium in latin, of the tiber and about 20 miles from rome, the remains of this once great port town of 60,000 still stand today.
Just half an hour from the eternal city by train, the vast ruins of ostia antica rival pompeii for their size and incredible state of preservation but without the crowds. The earlier the better, as there are many sights to take in, as well as interesting historical facts to learn. Jan 20, 2014 this durability made mosaics one of the most common relics found in ancient roman sites, and ostia antica has a wonderful collection. History founded to defend the tiber river tradition says that ostia was founded by ancus marcius, the 4th king of rome, who lived during the second half of the 7th century b. In roman times, much like today, a seaport was about moving cargo. The tradition relates to how romes fourth king ancus marcius, established this outpost in 7th century bc after destroying. At ostia you will find ancient warehouses, trading posts, wealthy residences, apartment blocks, bath houses, temples and markets of bygone years. Shall we make time to see ostia antica if seeing pompeii.
If you prefer private transportation and a guided tour, book an ancient ostia halfday trip from rome with pick up and drop off at your rome hotel and a guided tour of ostia antica in english. From some point in time the chapel was forgotten and neglected. It is just a step away from rome and youll travel in a personalized small group with maximum 12 people. Ostia antica is a large archaeological site, close to the modern town of ostia, that is the location of the harbour city of ancient rome, 15 miles 25 kilometres southwest of rome. Nowadays, the ruins of ostia antica are halfway between rome and fiumicino, not far from the leonardo da vinci airport or from another relevant archeological site, the necropolis of portus, and can be easily reached from rome and civitavecchia. Ostia antica became romes main seaport during the roman republic. Roman tradition has it that ostia was founded as a colony, romes first, by its fourth king, ancus marcius in the late 7th century bce, a date. The perfect half day trip from rome for those seeking to learn more about ancient roman ruins. Ostia antica is a large archaeological site, and was once one of the most thriving. Ostia was the site of the death of saint monica mother of saint augustine in 387 in a house property of the diocesi of rome, on their way back to africa after augustines conversion to christianity the neighbourhood was founded in 1884, near the remains of ostia antica, the port city of ancient rome. This territory is rich of history, since the first human settlements, suggested by the salt pans. Like every other roman city, ostia had slaves, workmen, merchants, and a few wealthy people.
In latin ostium meant entrance, a reference to the location of the town at the mouth of the river tiber. Visiting this bookshop, you can go deep into history. Ostia antica is closed on monday also, so we returned a couple days later. The shoreline moved seawards, due to silting, from the middle ages until the 19th century. Probably it is one of the reasons why ostia antica was founded, according to the sources, it was founded by anco marzio in the vii century b. The perfect half day trip from rome for those seeking to learn more about ancient roman ruins but do not have time to travel to pompeii. Mar 26, 2014 this video is about ostia antica, italy established in the 7th century bc perhaps one of the best preserved ancient roman cities in the world. The ruins of this onetime commercial center takes visitors back to the time when the roman empire ruled the seas. Dec 14, 2016 the harbour of ancient rome, ostia antica, served as perhaps one of the most important hubs of commerce for the roman republic and later the roman empire. Wandering around the ruins today, you can see the remains of the docks, warehouses, apartment flats, mansions, shopping arcades, and baths all giving a peek at roman lifestyles. Whichever you choose, ostia antica or pompeii, youre in for a great time exploring ancient roman history.
This was possible after reclamation of the nearby marshland, which was infested by. Ancient ostia day trip from rome by train group of 12 max 2020. Situated at the mouth, or ostium in latin, of the tiber and about 20 miles from rome, the. Ostia antica, just 30 minutes from the colosseum, offers ancient thrills to rival pompeii which is 4 hours south of rome. Whats the best way to experience ancient ostia ostia. If youre prepared for a bit of walking and to read the many detailed panels that are available, visiting ostia antica is definitely worth the halfday trip from rome. The modern seaside resort, lido di ostia, is about 3 miles 5 km southwest of the. Jan 26, 20 ostia antica is a massive archeological site situated at the mouth of the tiber river. When the bus crosses the tiber, start looking for the next landmark a large water tower on the right hand side. Whether you choose ostia antica or pompeii, youll be happy to know that these are what the two sites have in common. On this intimate group tour of ostia antica, you ll get to explore the magnificent ruins of the other pompeii. Ostia is the name of the magic worlds lost kingdom and the location of the gladiatorial games in the manga series negima. Ostia, modern ostia antica, seaport of ancient rome, originally on the mediterranean coast at the mouth of the tiber river but now, because of the natural growth of the river delta, about 4 miles 6 km upstream, southwest of the modern city of rome, italy. Ostia in late antiquity is the first book to narrate the life of the town during the later empire, a period often synonymous in popular imagination with the fall of rome.
At ostia antica kids can play, learn and have fun among the ruins surrounded by trees, meadows and relaxing nature. Ostia antica opening hours, tickets and how to get there rome. Continental breakfast is a selfservice buffet, while the restaurant serves italian and roman dishes for lunch and dinner. Ostia antica guide and visiting tips rome day trip martha. According to some legends and conjectures, put forth by authors such as livius and cicero, ostia may have been romes first colonia a roman outpost that secured their newly conquered territories. Visit ostia antica offers tours for adults and activities for children aimed at exploring the archaeological park of ostia antica and, more generally, the artistic and natural wonders of the roman coast, characterized by a historical and archaeological heritage which due to its extension and state of preservation can be considered unique. Ostia is mentioned in several novels in lindsey davis marcus didius falco series. But by now the tombs and buildings flanking the road were halfburied ruins. Unless you have a car or wish to book a guided tour, ostia antica is very close to rome and is easy to get to by public transport. Ostia by pascolini abebooks abebooks shop for books. Ostia in late antiquity is the first book to narrate the life of the town during the later empire, a period often synonymous in popular imagination with the fall of. The hours of operation for the ostia antica ruins are 7 days a week, from 8.
Ostia was important enough to have had a theater, numerous temples and baths, great patrician houses, and a large business complex. Just half an hour from rome lie the atmospheric remains of a roman port town, containing everything from temples to bakeries. It was in fact romes harbour thousands of years ago but due to silting the area is now three kilometres from the ocean. Not many people were visiting the friday we were there.
Perhaps the bones of cyriacus were transferred to rome. The visions ancient ostia guide book contains the history of ancient ostia and its monuments, carefully described and illustrated, on an exciting journey through the ruins and you will find 8 accurate graphic reconstructions of the monuments of ostia antica, like the theater, the temple of neptune and the capitolium, that you will be able to. A short history of ostia the ancient roman city of ostia was in antiquity situated at the mouth of the river tiber, some 30 kilometres to the west of rome. Ostia antica one of the best preserved roman cities in the. Archaeologists have found on the site a fort of the mid4th century bce, but nothing older. In romes ancient port, ostia antica, cart drivers and their mules were the prime movers and the lifeblood of. Escape to ostia antica and see why experts are calling it the better pompeii. Its houses and apartments, taverns and temples have long contributed to a picture of daily life in rome. Ostia antica is an archaeological site located on the outskirts of rome.
Ostia antica was the harbor city of ancient rome and was therefore an important commercial center. Ostia antica, just 30 minutes from the colosseum, offers ancient thrills to rival pompeii which is four hours south of rome. Ostia antica is one of the best day trips that you can do from rome and many are of the belief that it is better than venturing south to the ruins of pompeii. After meeting your group in central rome, you will travel to ostia antica and join your guide for an indepth, 4 hour tour of the archaeological site. Iind century ad sarcophagus which most likely depicts ostia at the centre it portrays the dead as a hero and two women according to livy ostia was founded by ancus martius, the fourth king of rome. A guide to exploring ostia antica, romes ancient port city. The town, in roman times, represented the mouth of access to the capital of the empire toponymy etymology derived from os or ostium, reaching about 50 thousand inhabitants, mostly dependent on the activities of the nearby port of claudio first and of trajan later. Apr 06, 2020 if youre prepared for a bit of walking and to read the many detailed panels that are available, visiting ostia antica is definitely worth the halfday trip from rome.
767 431 447 938 490 189 236 247 216 1117 1042 817 407 459 1170 1191 696 86 759 697 1278 1120 12 877 1375 286 455 85 600 915 81 264 676 983 200 487 1225 819 988 1124