What to see in ancient Ostia, short history and itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the port of Traiano and the Giulio II castle.
Tourist information
Ancient town founded by the Romans in the province of Rome, Ostia is located south-west of the capital, along the Tiber river.
There are several testimonies of the ancient city and in particular, public monuments, homes and places related to productive activities of the time.
The city, founded in the fourth century BC, was a cosmopolitan center and a port of primary importance, as evidenced by the precious remains brought to light by the excavations started from 1909.
It was the port function of the city that determined its urban layout.
What see
The port of Trajan, named after the emperor who had it built, and the city that developed around it, began to decline in the time of Constantine and, little by little, disappeared under the soil brought by the river and the winds.
In this area, in the year 827, Gregory IV founded the current village of Ostia.
Not far from the entrance to the excavations of the archaeological area, stands the Castle designed by the architect Baccio Pontelli on behalf of Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, future Pope Julius II, built between 1483 and 1486.
The Castle is a magnificent example of Renaissance military architecture and next to it is the beautiful church of Sant'Aurea, also by Pontelli.
