{"id":9585,"date":"2022-01-28T14:06:06","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T14:06:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/ostia-antica-rome\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T13:13:59","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T13:13:59","slug":"ostia-antica-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/ostia-antica-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"Ostia Antica near Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How about taking some fresh air away from the capital’s hustle and bustle? Just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of Rome, the archaeological site of Ostia Antica (Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica) offers visitors a chance to step back in time and discover one of the most prosperous cities of ancient Rome.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide! the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pro Tip:<\/strong> To explore Ostia Antica without the logistical hassle, Captain Ulysse highly recommends this excursion from Rome<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Insider<\/strong> Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top tip:<\/strong> Free guided city tour<\/a> (in English)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodations:<\/strong> all our tips recommendations <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your stay:<\/strong> the complete guide to Rome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Rome with children:<\/strong> all our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Brief History of Ostia Antica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Origins of Ostia Antica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While some sources date the founding of Ostia Antica around 620 BC, the oldest traces uncovered by archaeologists date back to around 335 BC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing is certain: the city gets its name from its location at the mouth of the Tiber River, with Ostia<\/em> meaning “river mouth” in Latin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city initially thrived on its salt marshes before being conquered by Rome.
It soon became a naval base and commercial port, growing in importance as Rome expanded its influence across the Mediterranean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rise of Ostia Antica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though the city grew significantly under the Roman Republic (509 BC \u2013 27 BC), it truly reached its peak during the Empire, particularly in the 2nd<\/sup> and 3rd<\/sup> centuries AD. Emperors Trajan and Hadrian initiated major construction projects to accommodate the city’s population, which swelled to between 27,000 and 60,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ostia<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Decline of Ostia Antica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

But prosperity didn\u2019t last forever. Starting in the 3rd<\/sup> and 4th<\/sup> centuries, Ostia Antica began to decline. Several factors contributed to this downturn: the coastline receded due to the silting of the Tiber\u2014Ostia Antica is now 4 kilometers from the sea\u2014a slowdown in trade, and possibly natural disasters and diseases like malaria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city was gradually abandoned, buried by sand over the centuries, which helped preserve it, despite being pillaged for building materials, as with many ancient sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archaeological Excavations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Excavations began in the 18th<\/sup> century and continue today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ostia<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exploring the Archaeological Site of Ostia Antica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The archaeological site of Ostia Antica spans roughly 100 hectares\/250 acres. Most of the ruins and monuments (shops, taverns, temples, baths…) are scattered along the main street, the Decumanus Maximus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ufe0f A Cosmopolitan and Multicultural City \ufe0f<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Archaeologists have discovered numerous temples and sanctuaries, showcasing the city\u2019s religious and cultural diversity, including Mithraism, Judaism, and Christianity.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Key highlights of the site include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Theater:<\/strong> Built in the 1st<\/sup> century AD and later rebuilt in the 2nd<\/sup> century, the theater could hold up to 4,000 spectators\u2014impressive, though far less than the Colosseum<\/a> (50,000 spectators) or the Circus Maximus<\/a> (100,000 spectators).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Baths of Neptune:<\/strong> Dating back to the 2nd<\/sup> century AD, these baths were constructed under the reigns of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. They are famous for their stunning black-and-white mosaics, the most famous of which depicts the Roman god Neptune. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Forum Baths:<\/strong> These are best known for their incredibly well-preserved latrines! You\u2019ll find about twenty marble seats where the residents of Ostia once sat in comfort to attend to their business!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ostia<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\ufe0f Ostia Lido: Nearby Beach Escape \ufe0f<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Need a refreshing break after exploring Ostia Antica?
Just 4 kilometers from the site, Ostia Lido (also known as Lido di Roma or Lido di Ostia) is the closest seaside resort to Rome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can easily reach it by train (the same line that takes you from Rome to Ostia Antica) or by bus, all at a very affordable price.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Practical Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Ostia Antica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Getting to Ostia Antica Good news: it\u2019s easy to get to Ostia Antica from central Rome. Take metro line B to Piramide station before taking the train towards Ostia Lido. Get off at the Ostia Antica station. The archaeological site is located a ten-minute walk from the train station (follow the signs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train fare is the same as a regular metro ticket, just \u20ac1.50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer to avoid public transportation, you can also opt for an organized excursion from central Rome (in English).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Insider Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unlimited public transportation access is included with the Roma Pass and Omnia Card. . For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Opening Hours of Ostia Antica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ostia Antica Archaeological Park is open from Tuesday to Sunday:<\/p>\n\n\n\n