Ostia Antica lies a mere 30km west of Rome and was the principal harbor city of ancient Romans. Left abandoned after the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city was once a thriving port. Untouched and well-preserved, modern-day visitors can get a glimpse into the magnificence of the Roman Empire with a day trip to Ostia Antica.
The main street of the port town is lined with what remains of public baths, mansions, warehouses and shopping arcades. The different ground levels of Ostia Antica differentiate the different times at which buildings were constructed. Anything built during the BC period requires visitors to descend down to reach the structure.
With one of the oldest-known brick theaters, Ostia Antica’s impressive grounds are a delight to visit. An incredible mosaic of Neptune, pictured as he reigns in four horses on ocean waves, is found in the huge complex of the Forum Baths. Small frescoes and hidden mosaics can be found in the nooks and crannies of Ostia Antica’s extensive grounds and invite visitors to imagine the once-thriving Roman civilization that lived here.
