Ostia Antica

travel wonder in Italy

Why the
Ostia Antica
is special

It is the best preserved ancient Roman town. It has superlative mosaics and balconied multi-story buildings.

Tips & insights on the

Ostia Antica

The top 5 sights to see:

Baths of Neptune

Splendid mosiac.

Piazza of the Corporations

Artistic mosaics visually identify the specialties of dozens of companies (for the multitude who could not read).

Amphitheatre

Still being used today.

Forum

Remains of major temples.

Fireman's barracks

Ruins of a large fire-unit complex.

True, Pompeii is a more exciting tourist draw than Ostia Antica because it was dramatically buried under the ashes of a Vesuvius eruption. However, Ostia Antica has its pluses. It is better preserved and gives the visitor a better idea of what a typical ancient Roman town was like.

Ostia Antica served as both a military camp (to prevent invaders from sailing up the Tiber River to reach Rome) and the major commercial port for imports from distant lands destined for Rome.

Ostia Antica is an easy daytrip from Rome. It's 25 kilometers (15 miles) away and can be reached by car or train. There is even a boat excursion via the Tiber River.

The city began to flourish in the 3rd century BC and reached its heyday about 500 years later when the population swelled to 100,000.

But Mother Nature intervened.  Accumulated silt moved the shoreline of the Tiber River estuary over 2 kilometers (1 mile) west into the sea. This hindered easy water passage to the town and eventually Ostia Antica became a ghost town.

Antica translates "ancient". Ostia means "mouth" in Latin, referring to the mouth of the Tiber River.

View my other gold,

silver & bronze medal

winners in Italy

My Italian

phrase guide

for travelers

What every visitor should know.

Italian cuisine guide

Vatican City

Note: Its wonders are not listed in my Italy Guide. Even though the Vatican lies within Rome, it is not part of it or Italy. It's an independent nation. Click to see its gold, silver and bronze medals,

I hope your Italy travel dreams come true - and that 

my Ostia Antica page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications