Ostia Antica is an archaeological park located about 30 minutes from central Rome. Sarah Mae Grunwald
I moved to Italy from California and have been working as a tour guide in Rome for 8 years.
The crowds in Rome seem to get bigger every year, so I recommend checking out Ostia Antica instead.
The Archaeological Park is about 30 minutes away and contains artifacts from the ancient Roman city.
I was born in California but have been working as a tour guide in Rome since 2008.
I’ve seen how to do itThe increase in tourists has affected popular tourist attractions such as the Colosseum and Vatican City. People wait in line for hours, making it difficult to fully enjoy the experience, and it seems to get more crowded every year.
It’s about 30 minutes away by train, Ostia Antica A vast, uncrowded archaeological park that offers a glimpse into the daily life of the ancient Romans.
At its peak (around the 7th century BC), it was the main port and commercial center of the Roman Empire. Although the upper-class ruins of Pompeii are better known, Ostia Antica offers an insight into the daily life of Rome’s working class.
Here are my favorite highlights of this underrated ruin.
The necropolis is located very close to the entrance.
Graves and other burial markers can be found along the road through the cemetery. Sarah Mae Grunwald
Located just outside the city walls, at the entrance to the park, this cemetery shows how the Romans honored and celebrated their dead.
Elaborate tombs honor the dead and mosaics depict the underworld.
Some tombs are equipped with banquet tables where the living celebrate the life of the deceased.
In the center of the ancient city lies the Forum.
The forum contains the remains of a temple and a central building. DEA / M. BORCHI / Contributor / Getty Images
The central square, known as the Forum, was the center of the city’s political and social life. You can see the Capitol and the ruins of Rome and the Temple of Augustus.
From the Forum, you can also observe how Roman cities were basically built in a grid pattern.
Thermopolium was like an ancient fast food chain.
The image of the menu is still faintly visible on the wall. Sarah Mae Grunwald
A thermopolium was essentially an ancient fast-food restaurant that served hot food and drinks to locals and tourists alike.
The remains of the service counter and frescoes depicting the menu still remain.
The Diana family was home to wealthy residents.
The building has a mosaic of the goddess Diana. Sarah Mae Grunwald
Diana’s House is a well-preserved mansion owned by a wealthy Ostia Antica merchant.
Decorated with stunning mosaics and frescoes, the house takes its name from a mosaic depicting the goddess Diana.
Public baths were common in ancient Rome.
Roman cities usually had public and private baths. Sarah Mae Grunwald
The Roman Empire was known for its public baths, which included hot and cold pools, saunas, and massage rooms.
public bathhouse It was an ancient Roman art form. Baths served as places for socializing, relaxation, and personal hygiene for all classes of society.
Ostia Antica has several public and private baths.
Neptune public bathsThe outdoor palaestra was distinctive.(where patrons once took part in various types of exercise) and shallow pools that would have been heated to different temperatures.
In contrast, the Seven Wise Men’s private baths were much smaller and were likely used by residents of nearby buildings. Its circular frigidarium (water bath room) is covered with stunning mosaics depicting hunting scenes and plants.
One of the most sociable places in town was the public restroom.
Public toilets functioned as gathering spaces. Massimo Salesi/Shutterstock
The various public latrines (toilets) are where ancient Romany comes to life.
The Roman came in with a stick, and the attendant gave him a clean sponge and asked him to wipe it with the end of it.
It was common for people to sit on the toilet and chat and gossip, and using the toilet was a social activity.
You can still see shows in the ancient theater.
This stone structure has been used for thousands of years. Sarah Mae Grunwald
The Theater of Ostia Antica is one of the best preserved theaters in Italy and can seat up to 3,000 people.
In ancient times, it was mainly used for theatrical performances, musical performances, and gladiatorial matches.
However, it still hosts performances of contemporary music, classical music, ballet, and more in the summer. This means that this theater has been in use for about 2,000 years.
If you want to learn more about this culture, check out the Ostia Antica Museum.
A copy of the Ostia Antica statue – the original is in the museum. Sarah Mae Grunwald
The Ostia Antica Museum displays artifacts discovered during excavations of the ancient port city, including statues, pottery, and jewelry.
These small, site-specific museums are filled with little-known treasures. It’s definitely worth a visit.
