Ostia Antica
Four kilometres from the mouth of the Tiber, a nearly complete Roman city lies spread across a flat, soft-earthed plain. Legend credits Ancus Marcius, fourth king of Rome, with founding Ostia Antica — the name comes from the Latin *ostium*, meaning river mouth. It served as Rome's commercial port, driven by the *annona*, the imperial grain-supply system, and at its peak housed around 50,000 people. When Claudius and Trajan built a new artificial harbour to the north, the city declined rapidly and was abandoned, leaving its apartment blocks, warehouses and shops nearly intact. Excavations began under papal supervision in the nineteenth century and continue today; roughly two-thirds of the site remains unexcavated. Walking here, you are not looking at a temple ruin — you are looking at the everyday life of a working port city two thousand years ago.
Italy · 57 The overlooked corners inside
The overlooked corners inside
Schola of Trajan
Walking south along the Decumanus Maximus (the main street), you enter through a doorway more than twelve metres wide, immediately meeting four marble columns and the semicircular niches behind them; at the far end, two large apsidal recesses once held fountains. This is not a temple but a *schola* — the guildhall of the *fabri navales*, the shipbuilders' guild. The building's name is actually a case of mistaken identity: a colossal statue of Trajan was found in the cellar, and the name stuck.
Temple of Roma and Augustus
Standing in the Forum — the long, narrow central square — the podium on the south side is all that remains of the temple dedicated to the goddess Roma and to the deified Augustus, erected under Tiberius. It faces the Capitol temple at the opposite end of the square: together, they are how this city planted imperial authority at its heart.
Temple of Hercules
After the Capitolium, the second-largest temple in Ostia is this sanctuary of Hercules (Region I, XV, 5). Built in the late second to early first century BCE — the late Republic — it stands within the "Republican Sacred Area" beside the old castrum (the original military camp). The east-facing portico is approached by eight marble steps leading up to a high podium of tufa and travertine; the porch is four columns deep and six wide, and the mosaic floor of the inner chamber (*cella*) dates to the third century CE. The temple was repaired in the third and fourth centuries, and a large marble altar was added at the centre of the portico in the late third century.
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Round Temple
Walking the main street past the Forum, the most arresting silhouette is this Round Temple (Region I, XI, 1). Built around 225 CE, it is believed to have served the imperial cult in Ostia, positioned at the heart of the old *castrum* north of the Decumanus. It sits on a high podium fronted by ten columns, with a circular *cella* behind; thick brick walls support the dome, and niches for imperial statues line the interior walls, while a spiral staircase wound around a travertine column once led to the top. Little survives above the drum, but its location and scale make it one of the most significant buildings on the site.
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Decumanus Maximus (Main Street)
Enter Ostia Antica through the eastern Porta Romana and your feet land on the Decumanus Maximus — the main east–west street that formed the backbone of any Roman city grid. It extends from the road to Rome all the way west to the Porta Marina (Sea Gate), with shops, guild halls and public buildings packed along both sides. Every resident of this port city walked this route daily; it is also the spine along which modern visitors cross the entire site.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · ostiaantica.cultura.gov.it
Temple of the Shipbuilders (Tempio dei Fabri Navales)
This temple (III,II,1–2) was the sanctuary of the *fabri navales* — the guild of shipbuild… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
House of the Paintings
The House of the Paintings (*Casa dei Dipinti*) is a showcase example of upper-class apart… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
House of Fortuna Annonaria
The House of Fortuna Annonaria (Region V, II, 8) is one of the best-preserved elite reside… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Muses
The House of the Muses (Region III, IX, 22) is a wealthy Roman townhouse built in the earl… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Via Ostiense Necropolis
From the second century BCE onward, burials began appearing along the southern edge of the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostiaantica.beniculturali.it · hmdb.org
Forum Baths
The Forum Baths (Region I, XII, 6), situated southeast of the Forum, are the largest publi… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Sanctuary of Cybele (Campo della Magna Mater)
South of the city centre, just west of the Porta Laurentina (the southern gate), lies a tr… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostiaantica.beniculturali.it · ostia-antica.org
Peacock Inn (Caupona del Pavone)
This building (IV,II,6) takes its name from a peacock painted in a wall niche — the peacoc… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Porta Marina (Sea Gate)
At the western end of the Decumanus Maximus stands the Porta Marina, one of the three main… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org · ostia-antica.org
Porta Romana
Porta Romana is the main gateway into Ostia, standing at the eastern end of the Decumanus… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Baths of the Swimmer
The Baths of the Swimmer (V,X,3) were built in the last years of Domitian's reign (89–90 C… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
House of the Charioteers (Caseggiato degli Aurighi)
Built around 140 CE, this apartment block (III,X,1) forms a tight urban block with the Bat… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostiaantica.beniculturali.it · ostia-antica.org
Maritime Baths (Terme Marittime)
The early excavators misapplied the name 'Maritime Baths' to the wrong set of ruins, but s… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Forum of the Sea Gate (Foro di Porta Marina)
After the Porta Marina was demolished in the first century CE, the small necropolis that h… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Porta Laurentina
Porta Laurentina is the best-preserved of Ostia's three city gates, standing at the end of… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Baths of the Cisiarii
The Baths of the Cisiarii (Region II, II, 3) take their name from a black-and-white mosaic… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Civic Basilica
In the Roman city, a *basilica* was a multi-purpose roofed hall — courthouse, exchange, pl… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org · ostiaattulane.wordpress.com
Mithraeum of the Seven Gates
The Mithraeum of the Seven Gates (Region IV, V, 13) is the most narratively complete of th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Painted Walls Mithraeum
The Painted Walls Mithraeum (Region III, I, 6) is notable for its exceptionally well-prese… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Baths of the Trinacria (Terme della Trinacria)
The Baths of the Trinacria (III,XVI,7) stand in the third district of Ostia, built around… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · ostia-antica.org
Schola and Mithraeum of Fructosus
This complex (I,X,4) stands at the corner of the Via del Tempio Rotondo and the Via del Po… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Fagan Mithraeum
The earliest Mithraeum at Ostia to be recorded with any modern rigour is the one excavated… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org · brewminate.com
Mithraeum of the Seven Spheres (Mitreo delle Sette Sfere)
Excavated by Rodolfo Lanciani in 1886, this underground Mithraeum (II,VIII,6) measures 11… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org · mithras.tertullian.org
Republican Warehouses (Magazzini Repubblicani)
Built in the late first century BCE, these warehouses are the oldest known storage structu… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org · ostiaantica.beniculturali.it
Baths of the Philosophers
The Baths of the Philosophers (Region V, II, 6–7) take their name from two portrait busts… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Sanctuary of Bona Dea
*Bona Dea* — the Good Goddess — was a Roman deity of agricultural abundance and health, an… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org · ostiaantica.cultura.gov.it
Warehouse of Hortensius (Horrea di Hortensius)
This warehouse (V,XII,1) is named after Lucius Hortensius Heraclida, a captain of the Mise… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Shrine of Sabazius
This small sanctuary (V, XII, 3) was dedicated to Sabazius, a Thracian-Phrygian sky god wi… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
House of Bacchus and Ariadne
The House of Bacchus and Ariadne (Region III, XVII, 5) is named for a well-preserved mosai… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Palazzo Imperiale
The popular name "Palazzo Imperiale" (Imperial Palace) is no longer accepted by scholars —… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of Diana
The House of Diana (Region I, III, 3–4) is one of the best-preserved *insulae* (Roman apar… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Thunderbolt
The House of the Thunderbolt (Region III, VII, 3–4) takes its name from a small stone plaq… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of Cane Monnus (Caseggiato del Cane Monnus)
This apartment block (II,I,1), on the east side of the Via dei Magazzini Repubblicani, is… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antigua.org · ostia-foundation.org
House of the Windowed Shops (Caseggiato delle Taberne Finestrate)
Built between 120 and 140 CE, this apartment block (IV,V,18) stands on the western stretch… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
House of the Grain Measurers (Caseggiato dei Misuratori del Grano)
The guild of *mensores frumentarii* — grain measurers — had both a temple and a guild hall… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Portico and House of Hercules (Porticus e Caseggiato dell'Ercole)
This building complex (IV,II,2–4) is centred on a basalt-paved square surrounded by three… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Seat of the Augustales (Sede degli Augustali)
The *Augustales* were a college of freed slaves (*freedmen*) dedicated to the imperial cul… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Baths of Neptune (Terme di Nettuno)
The Baths of Neptune (II,IV,2) are among the largest and most visually arresting in Ostia… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org · ostiaantica.beniculturali.it
Piazzale delle Corporazioni
The Piazzale delle Corporazioni (Region II, VII, 4) is the most visually distinctive space… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Thermopolium
This snack-and-drink counter (Reg. I, Is. II, 5) — distinct from the Caupona di Fortunato… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Necropolis of the Via Ostiense (Necropoli della Via Ostiense)
This cemetery lies beside the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in the Rome city ar… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Mithraeum of the Baths of Mithras
The Mithraeum of the Baths of Mithras (Region I, XVII, 2) is tucked into the northwest cor… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Piazzale della Vittoria (Victory Square)
The first open space you reach after entering the archaeological park is the Piazzale dell… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Neptune Baths Mosaics (Mosaici delle Terme di Nettuno)
This stop marks the main vantage point for viewing the floor mosaics of the Baths of Neptu… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org · ostiaantica.beniculturali.it
Caupona di Fortunato
A room barely six by four-and-a-half metres — yet it carries Ostia's most direct piece of… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Baths of the Seven Sages
The Baths of the Seven Sages (Region III, X, 2) were built in the Hadrianic period, first… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of Apuleius
The House of Apuleius (Region II, VIII, 5) is a wealthy residence in the Second Region, na… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Maritime Baths
The Maritime Baths (Region IV, X, 1–2) were built in the early second century CE, outside… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Baths of the Six Columns (Terme delle Sei Colonne)
The Baths of the Six Columns (IV,V,10–11) sit immediately east of the Schola of Trajan on… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Baths of Mithras (Terme del Mitra)
This private bath complex (I,XVII,2) was built in the Hadrianic period (around 125 CE) in… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
Fullonica (Cloth-Fulling Workshop)
This building (II,XI,1) is a *fullonica* — a Roman cloth-fulling and laundry workshop. Ful… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: brewminate.com
Piccolo Mercato (Small Market)
Despite its name, the *Piccolo Mercato* (I,VIII,1) is a substantial structure. Built aroun… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ostia-antica.org
FAQ
What overlooked corners are worth seeing inside Ostia Antica?
Schola of Trajan, Temple of Roma and Augustus, Temple of Hercules and more — 57 spots in all, each with sources and a guide in your language to read or listen to on the spot.
Is the Ostia Antica guide free?
The first 5 spots are free to read; the other 52 unlock with a one-time purchase (not a subscription).