Tour detail

Ostia Antica - Local Tour

Our 6-hour car and walking tour takes you through the ruins
of the ancient city of Ostia. It was Rome's military outpost
and main supply port. We'll also visit the Mussolini District
on the way back to your hotel.

Our car will pick you up at your hotel
and take you to Ostia Antica, about 40 minutes from Rome. There, you will walk through this
fascinating archeological site of the Roman city and port built during the Imperial Age.
The Latin word ostium means 'mouth of the river', and reflects its position along the Tiber.
It was founded as a military outpost to guard against seaborne invasions along the river. Ostia was
officially founded during the monarchy, and later became recognized as Rome's main, official harbor.
Trade flourished and a business center developed throughout the following centuries.
Later, when virtually all imports reached the capital via the Tiber, Ostia gained prominence
as the domestic docking area for cargo boats. Ostia covered 10,000 square acres and was situated
around a main street than runs for more than one mile. For centuries, local shepherds sheltered their
animals among the ruins. Ancient apartment buildings, taverns and grocery stores are still visibly
intact. The artifacts that have been unearthed from this site are exhibited in the nearby Ostiense
Museum. There, you will discover treasures on display featuring ancient sculptures and mosaics. Some
of them represented the very popular cult of Mithra, which existed during Imperial Rome.
On the way back to Rome, we will reach the district of EUR, the Esposizione Universale di
Roma. This was the area that Mussolini built before World War II. Your guided visit will take you to
the buildings and urban spaces that best exemplify how architecture could transmit the ideology of
Fascism. For anyone with an interest in Rome's modern period or in comparative architecture,
this unique tour is guaranteed to fascinate.