Ostia Antica

Last month we made a visit to OSTIA ANTICA.  Henry and I always reflect on   places we visit and what makes them special from others.  Rome we have decided is special not only because it has history, because many places do, but because so much of that history is still VISIBLE.  For me being the inveterate skeptic this is particularly important.  Perhaps that's why I have difficulty with historical data; unless I can feel or touch it, I have trouble accepting it.  Ostia Antica is one of those places  around Rome where not only can you read about history but you can actually wander about the place and imagine LIVING it.  I can see myself wandering about in my stola, peplos or chiton (women's garb in Roman times) with my clay wine pot, lounging and prophesying about life.   Having said that, in order to get to the place of my imagination, we caught our train at Roma Porta.  Trains go every 15 minutes and for the most part of the 45 minute trip (we went right to the end just to see what was there - nothing) hardly any passengers.  I just have to make a negative comment here - the trains are appalling, our pictures flattering.  Graffiti everywhere.  So much so that it was difficult finding a seat with a window we could see out of.   

Train to Ostia 

These pictures do not accurately reflect the MESS the train is in because we selected a seat with the most visibility. Most other windows are TOTALLY covered in GRAFFITTI.  It is my personal opinion that anyone caught defacing public property be given jail time, a lashing, or perhaps made to wash or repaint buildings during their leisure time for a year!

Ostia Antica is huge and was formerly a sea port (no longer as over time the harbor silted up) 2,000 years ago.  A thriving commercial centre of approx. 60,000 people.  When Rome fell, so did Ostia. As you walk around the streets of Ostia you can see the Baths of Neptune (apparently they washed with olive oil versus soap ... would be great for dry skin but not sure about how effective it would be for cleaning). Along Via Nasa di Diana is the House of Diana (multi-storied tenements), House of Apulius with preserved mosaic floors, Piazzale delle Corporazioni, remains of shops and trading offices, the Forum and Capitol Buildings...Here are just a small selection of our photos... hopefully it will give you some sense of scale and quality of the ruins.

The Public Latrine - ingenious

Public Bath

Floor Mosaics

As we were leaving a couple asked us if we knew the way out.  It turns out they were from Argentina but he spoke very good English and was familiar with Vancouver as he had friends who live there.  It truly is such a small world now.  Well more to come.  Time as always flies but I think we have made full use of our time here.... Ciao for now, keep well until we return, Henry and Joanne