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Ostia Antica, ancient port of Rome

Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica, old Roman harbour ruins in Italy

Ostia Antica Rome

30 kilometres from Rome, Italy, lies Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica. This is where the old Roman harbour city and ancient port of Rome has been uncovered and where you can walk through 100 hectares of Roman excavations.

Ostia Antica Italy - Info & Tours

Address Via dei Romagnoli, 717, Rome Italy
Metro How to get to Ostia Antica from Rome? From the center of Rome, take the metro to the Piramide stop (line B). At Piramide you can transfer to the train station on the Roma-Ostia train (Line RL Cristoforo Colombo). You get off at the seventh stop 'Ostia Antica' after 27 minutes. After a walk of 5 minutes you are at the entrance of the park. You can buy a normal metro ticket for the entire journey.
Tickets & Tours
  • Tickets adults 12 €
  • 0 -18 years: free entrance
  • Free on every first Sunday of the month
  • Guided tours incl. train ticket and entrance, from 59 € (more info)
Hours
  • Closed on Mondays and on January 1st and December 25th.
  • 8.30am – 4.30pm (25th October - 28th February, last entrance at 3.30pm)
  • 8.30am – 5.15pm (1st March - 31st March, last entrance at 4.15pm)
  • 8.30am – 7.00pm (1st April – 30th September, last entrance at 6.00pm)
  • 8.30am - 6.30pm (1st October - 24th October, last entrance at 5.30pm)
Tips
  • If you want extensive background information about the excavations. Print this tourist guide.
  • At the entrance of the park and museum is a restaurant, but as the archaeological park is quite large, it is advisable to bring plenty of drinking water.

Excavations of Ostia Antica

About 30 kilometres west of Rome lies Ostia Antica. This is the former harbour city of Rome and now a giant, 100-hectare archaeological park with many excavations. It is a fun day trip to take from Rome. You can spend hours exploring the countless ruins.

During the 7th century BCE, the ancient port of Rome was founded for trade and to serve as a military base. It was not until the 2nd century CE that the harbour city grew significantly. The city was located on the banks of the river Tiber and the name ‘Ostia’ was derived from the Latin ostium, meaning mouth. Because the harbour started silting up during the 2nd century CE, the over 100,000 people who had called this city home in its heyday started to slowly abandon the city.

Ostia Antica Amphitheater in Ostia Antica
Roman harbour Rome Rome100 hectares of Roman excavations

Ostia Antica is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in Italy, despite the fact that the city was often used as a source for marble, columns and other building materials. If you wonder where the sea is during your visit, please be aware that because of the changing coast lines, it is now a few kilometres away. The course of the main river of the Tiber has also changed.

The archaeological park holds many excavations, such as that of a theatre of Marcus Agripa for 3,000 man, many houses, baths and temples, as well as countless mosaics. It is believed that about two thirds of the old city have been uncovered by the digs. The archaeological park of Ostia Antica is highly recommended if you wish to get away from the bustle of Rome and explore the many Roman ruins for a few hours.

Ostia AnticaStreet in Ostia Antica
Ostia AnticaThe frigidarium of the thermal baths

Video: Ostia Antica

 

Where is Ostia Antica located in Italy?

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