{"id":34760,"date":"2025-08-08T16:35:44","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T14:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rome-roma.net\/ostia-antica-archaeological-site-of-the-port-of-rome\/"},"modified":"2025-08-08T22:36:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T20:36:01","slug":"ostia-antica-archaeological-site-of-the-port-of-rome","status":"publish","type":"site","link":"https:\/\/www.rome-roma.net\/en\/ostia-antica-archaeological-site-of-the-port-of-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"Ostia antica: archaeological site of the port of Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Houses<\/a>

Houses around the Baths of Neptune<\/p><\/div>\n

Ancient Ostia<\/strong> is a fascinating archaeological site about 20 km from Rome, and its visit is well worth it.
The tranquility of the place and its reasonable number of visitors make it a welcome break from the noisy city of Rome.<\/p>\n

Near the ancient mouth of the Tiber, Ostia Antica is one of the largest and best-preserved archaeological sites of ancient Rome. Once a commercial port of the capital with up to 50,000 inhabitants, the city offers a rare testimony of Roman urban planning, with its streets, squares, baths, temples, shops, housing, and port infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Over the centuries, as the coastline receded due to sedimentation, Ancient Ostia is now located about 2 kilometers from the shore. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n\n

To discover in Ostia Antica<\/h2>\n\n\n

Following the Decumanus Maximus<\/strong>, the main axis of the city, one reaches several of its most notable monuments, starting with the Baths of Neptune<\/strong>, famous for their large marine mosaics.
Further on, the Theatre<\/strong> dates back to the 1st century BC and was enlarged during the reign of Commodus. It could accommodate around 4,000 spectators and is still used for modern performances.
Behind the theatre stretches the Square of the Corporations<\/strong>, a vast rectangular area lined with porticoes, which served as a commercial centre and the headquarters of maritime guilds. The black and white mosaics, still visible on the ground, indicate the geographical origins or specialities of the different merchants (Africa, Sardinia, Narbonne, grain trade, wine, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Mosaics<\/a>
Mosaics of the Baths of Neptune<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Houses<\/a>
Street between houses and barracks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Piazza<\/a>
Piazza delle Corporazioni<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Piazza<\/a>
Piazza delle Corporazioni<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Roman<\/a>
Roman theater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Roman<\/a>
Roman theater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

Among other notable buildings, the Forum Baths<\/strong> are well preserved, as is the Capitoline Hill<\/strong>, the main temple of the city located on an elevated platform. Several insulae<\/strong> (apartment buildings) remain, including the House of Diana<\/strong>, which has retained several floors. Numerous tabernae<\/strong> (shops) line the streets, sometimes decorated with frescoes, mosaic signs, or masonry counters.<\/p>\n

The Forum<\/strong>, the political and religious center, includes the remains of the Basilica<\/strong>, temples dedicated to Rome and Augustus, and altars. On the outskirts of the site, it is also possible to visit the Ostia Synagogue<\/strong>, the oldest in the entire Western world.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Decumanus<\/a>
Decumanus Maximus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Residential<\/a>
Residential neighborhood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Capitolium,<\/a>
Capitolium in Ostia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Forum<\/a>
Forum in Ostia antica<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Schola<\/a>
Schola Traianea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mithreum<\/a>
Mithreum of the seven doors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Fresco<\/a>
Wall fresco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tavern<\/a>
Fast-food tavern<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"House<\/a>
House of Diana Insula<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Domus<\/a>
Domus of Cupid and Psyche<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mosaic<\/a>
Mosaic of the Mensores<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Narbona<\/a>
Narbona Ships, Piazza delle Corporazioni<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

Information: Hours and Visits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Viale dei Romagnoli, 717 \/ 00119 Ostia antica – Rome<\/em><\/span>
Tel.: 06 56358099<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n
\r\n\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTickets to visit Ostia Antica\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHotels, rooms and apartments near the monument\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Hours and Prices (2024)
<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Closed on Mondays and on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th<\/span>
    – October 25 – February 29: 8:30 AM \u2013 3:30 PM (last exit 4:30 PM)<\/span>
    – March 1 – March 31: 8:30 AM – 4:15 PM (last exit 5:15 PM)<\/span>
    – April 1 – September 30: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (last exit 7:00 PM)<\/span>
    –<\/span> October 1 – October 24: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (last exit 6:30 PM)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \n

    Full price<\/strong> \u20ac18: valid for 8 consecutive calendar days, granting access to all archaeological sites and museums of the Archaeological Park (Isola Sacra necropolis, boat museum, ports of Claudius and Trajan, etc.)
    <\/span>Reduced price<\/strong> \u20ac2 (for European Union youth aged 18 to 25) valid for 8 consecutive calendar days, granting access to all archaeological sites and museums of the Park (Isola Sacra necropolis, boat museum, ports of Claudius and Trajan, etc.)
    <\/span>Free<\/strong>: Europeans under 18 and others<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Please consult the official website for full conditions and updates
    <\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Sources and links for further information<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n