Follow your guide inside this ancient city and former city's harbor dating back to 640 BC - Ostia Antica (Ancient Ostia). Explore the beautifully preserved archaeological remains of the city, once home to more than 100,000 people. Admire Roman statues that line the walkways, ancient mosaics and frescoes and feel as though you are walking in Ancient Rome itself.
Tradition says that Ostia was founded by Ancus Marcius, the 4th king of Rome, who lived during the second half of the 7th century BC, even if there is little archeological evidence proving such information. Ostia became a river port with the commercial function to supply Rome with food items, particularly wheat, even if its strategic military function as a naval base certainly prevailed. The population of Ostia increased and could no longer be contained in the small fortified post, so the city slowly changed. From a strategic military outpost it turned into the commercial port of Rome; this function eventually determined its new urban aspect. The city walls surrounded an urban area of about 50 hectares, divided into five regions or neighborhoods. The city was accessible through three main gates: Porta Romana, the Eastern gate at the end of Via Ostiense; Porta Laurentina, the Southern gate at the end of the Cardus Maximus and Porta Marina, the Western gate facing the sea at the end of the Decumanus Maximus.
Half-day private guided tour
Headsets to hear your guide
