Ostia Antica is an extraordinary Roman site that contains the ruins of the ancient port town that served as the gateway to Rome.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. 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.
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. The archeological area is really well preserved and, specially in spring, walking among ruins surrounded by flowers and green is a pleasant and relaxing experience. An ideal place for all families with young children, who can have fun here and spend a day outdoors enjoying an environment of freedom and safety!
Therefore, if you love the history of Rome you can’t absolutely miss a visit to the ruins of Ostia Antica. Are you curious to find out more? Follow us.
THE RUINS OF OSTIA ANTICA: A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
Many legends attribute the foundation of Ostia to the fourth King of Rome Ancus Marcius. This tradition, however, has not been confirmed yet by enough archeological evidence. It is nonetheless true that around the fourth century BC the city was a military encampment, rather, a fortified citadel, in Latin castrum, as can be certified to this day watching the city planning of the ruins.
After the second century BC, when Rome had already reached supremacy over the whole Mediterranean, the militar role of Ostia melted away and the city soon became Rome’s river port
In the period of its maximim development, Ostia reached 50,000 inhabitants,
