Ostia, Archaeological site in Lido di Ostia, Italy
Ostia is an excavated Roman port city in Lido di Ostia, with remains that show streets, shops, houses, warehouses, theaters and public baths along the Decumanus Maximus. The ruins cover a wide area where visitors walk between ancient buildings and follow the layout of a Roman town.
The settlement began in the 7th century BCE at the Tiber mouth as a naval base and later grew into Rome's main trade harbor. Over the centuries the city expanded, then was gradually abandoned after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Merchants from across the Mediterranean stored goods in the large warehouses before transport to Rome, and mosaics on many building facades still show which trades worked there: shipowners, bakers, grain sellers or ropemakers left their marks. The port district attracted people from many regions, and their presence shaped the daily rhythm of the streets.
The site is large, so visitors should plan several hours and wear comfortable shoes, as paths can be uneven. In summer a morning visit is advisable, since it gets very hot later and shade is limited.
After the city was abandoned, sand covered the buildings and protected many mosaics, frescoes and structures over the centuries. This natural preservation allows visitors today to see details often lost at other Roman sites.
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