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Ostia

Ostia, the port of ancient Rome, now lying 5km/3mi inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea and close to Fiumicino Airport, is the largest excavation site in Italy after Pompeii.

History

The excavated remains of Ostia give a vivid picture of life in the port which supplied Rome. Ancient Ostia was founded about the fourth century B.C. in an area of salt-pans at the mouth (ostia) of the Tiber.

Must-see attractions nearby:
Colosseum
#1 of 169 attractions
Pantheon
#2 of 169 attractions
Trevi Fountain
#3 of 169 attractions
Vatican City
#4 of 169 attractions
Roman Forum
#5 of 169 attractions
Palatine Hill
#6 of 169 attractions
National Museum / Baths Museum
#7 of 169 attractions
From about 300 B.C. it was the principal Roman naval base, and under the Empire developed into a considerable town of 50,000 inhabitants and was Rome's largest suburb and commercial port, through which the city's supplies of corn were brought in. After the fall of the Roman Empire Ostia fell a victim to decay and the ravages of malaria. The harbor silted up, and in 1558 the Tiber changed its course.

Related Attractions

Archeological Museum of Ostia
This museum is located in Ostia Antica.
Hours
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Open9:309:309:309:309:309:309:30
Close19:0019:0019:0019:0019:0019:0019:00
Ostia Antica, Italy
(Near Rome)
The present town of Ostia (pop. 5,000) is dominated by a castle (1486), built to protect the harbor. An irregular triangle in plan, it has strong walls, bastions on the side facing the river and a massive keep in typical Italian Renaissance fortification style. The Renaissance church of Santa Aurea was built at the same time.
Address
Ostia Antica
Viale dei Romagnoli 717
I-00119 Ostia
Italy
Hours
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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