Steve Fountain aged 58. Took semi retirement when made redundant at 51. Back from THASSOS loved it....
Steve Fountain aged 58. Took semi retirement when made redundant at 51. Back from THASSOS loved it. Back to whistling at Trains.
Member since:15.07.2007
Reviews:110
Members who trust:10
All Great Tourist Cities have a MUST VIEW site, that most visitors should visit, but most Tourists do not visit or do not even know of its exisitance. OSTIA ANTICA is one such site.
Ask people about POMPEI and 99 percent know about it, but did you know about OSTIA.
GETTING THERE:- --------------------------- Go to Rome for a few nights. Just Joking.
Regular trains run from ROMA - LIDO di OSTIA station which is next to PIRAMIDE Metro stop on LINE B on the Rome Metro. Journey time approx 30 mins. Cost about 1 Euro. (In fact our 75 min Rome Bus ticket covered us).
The rome METRO does have a reputation for pick-pockets. And while we would not use the Metro in central Rome because of this risk , we did not have or see any problem on this stretch which is all above surface.
The 30 min Trip is not very scenic as you are just passing out of the Rome Suberbs.
On arrival at Ostia Antica station you leave by the station front. Go about 100 meters forward, cross the main road by the footbridge. A further 15 min walk brings you to the Entrance to the site.
Entry by the Ticket office, Entry 4 Euros. Tuesday through Sunday 9 am. until 1 hour before sunset.
PRACTICALITIES :- -----------------------------
This is a very large site, you can not DO IT in a day.
It is very exposed, as most Historic Sites to the elements. So it can get very Hot, Dress sensible, plenty of water and Sun Block. Lots of film or a large Memory Card (and batteries).
THE SITE:- ----------------
The excavations of this antient Port of Rome OSTIA constitute one of the finest Ancient Roman sites you will see anywhere.
Whereas Pompei was blasted by a Volcano erruption. This site was slowly covered in silt as the Rivers and Coast line changed. Thus the state of preservation gives you a wonderful experience of a Roman City, some of the Buildings as the cover photo show 2 or 3 stories high.
The town was abandoned in the 4th Century . Ostia was Rome's principle port and a thriving Commercail centre.
It is much easier to visulize a Roman town than hours pottering about the Forum in the Centre of Rome.
As you enter from the Ticket office entrance you are on Decumanus Maximus, the main street of Ostia. This leads you west, towards the sea, past the Baths of Neptune on the right, where there is an interesting Mosiac (All seemed to be Black and White Mosiacs).
Further on is the town's Commercail Centre, otherwise known as Piazzale delle Corporazioni. Shops and offices here speciallised in enterprises from all over the Ancient world, and they have Mosiacs in front that denote their trade - grain merchants, ship-fitters, ropemakers etc etc.
Flanking one side of the square is the THEATRE of Ostia, which has been restored and is used for Concerts and Roman Tragic Plays, what better way to spend an evening.
On the left of the square is the House of Apulis which has fantastic Mosiac Floors. Which can be viewed from above on the second floor. Behind is the House of Diana which is probably the best preserved House in Ostia. with dark mysterious rooms around a central courtyard.
You can climb onto the roof for a view of Ostia, and here you get a feeling for the size of the town which stretches away into the distance, and they have only uncovered about a quarter of the site.
After here you cross to the Thermopolium,an ancient Roman Cafe, COMPLETE with seats outside, a high counter and the reamins of the menu on the wall.
North of the House of Diana is a small museum holding a variety of articales from the site, including wal paintings depicting daily life in Ostia.
In the centre of the site is a Cafe with Patio and lots of tables. Not as in this country run by a large Chain serving Plastic Food in Plastic Wrappers. No good fresh food.
Our overall impression was WOW they were building Towns like this when we were in MUD HUTS.
Please if you get the chance Visit this well worth site, and Enjoy.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
The Ostia Antica Park Hotel is positioned 800 meters from the Roman Ruins of Ostia Antica, ... more
Italy. The Napoleonic Museum is one kilometer from the hotel and the Roman Baths are two kilometers away. Ostia Lido Beach is five kilometers from the hotel. Central Rome is 15 kilometers away. An American bar serves cocktails and light fare in the lobby lounge and the restaurant offers regional cuisine a la carte on the patio by the property's gardens. Wine pairings are offered with all meals. Meeting space within the hotel accommodates up to 250 guests. The hotel provides transportation and from the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport for a fee, just seven miles away. The Ostia Antica Park Hotel's 80 guestrooms boast high speed wired and wireless Internet access (fees apply) and cable television. All rooms include minibars, laptop compatible safes and desks. Select rooms offer private balconies.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked......
The Ostia Antica Park Hotel is positioned 800 meters from the Roman Ruins of Ostia Antica, ... more
Italy. The Napoleonic Museum is one kilometer from the hotel and the Roman Baths are two kilometers away. Ostia Lido Beach is five kilometers from the hotel. Central Rome is 15 kilometers away. An American bar serves cocktails and light fare in the lobby lounge and the restaurant offers regional cuisine a la carte on the patio by the property's gardens. Wine pairings are offered with all meals. Meeting space within the hotel accommodates up to 250 guests. The hotel provides transportation and from the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport for a fee, just seven miles away. The Ostia Antica Park Hotel's 80 guestrooms boast high speed wired and wireless Internet access (fees apply) and cable television. All rooms include minibars, laptop compatible safes and desks. Select rooms offer private balconies.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked......
Dec 16th, 2007
very helpful by (100%):
