What to See at Ostia Antica

This temple was dedicated to the shipbuilders' guild, highlighting the importance of maritime trade in ancient Rome. You can see the remnants of the temple’s structure, which includes columns and the base of the temple. Some inscriptions and carvings provide insights into the lives and work of ancient Roman shipbuilders. The temple is located near the river, emphasizing its connection to Ostia’s role as a bustling port city. The area around the temple includes other ruins, giving you a broader sense of the ancient city’s layout and infrastructure.

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One of the famous things to see at Antica Ostia is the Meat Market and Fishmongers' Shops that offer a fascinating look into daily life in ancient Rome. These areas were central to daily commerce, where residents bought their meat and fish. The Meat Market features a series of small rooms and stalls where vendors would sell their goods. You can see the stone counters and basins that were used to display and clean meat and fish. Some shops have beautifully preserved mosaic floors, often depicting scenes related to their trade, like fish or animals.

It is a multi-story apartment building, showcasing how people lived in ancient Roman times. There was a central courtyard, which was a common feature in Roman houses, providing light and ventilation. You can see beautiful mosaics and wall paintings that decorate the rooms, giving insights into Roman art and aesthetics. The ground floor includes spaces that were likely used as shops or workshops, illustrating the mixed-use nature of the building. The building is well-preserved, with visible staircases and multiple floors, allowing you to imagine the daily life of its residents.

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The Thermopolium in Antica Ostia is an ancient Roman snack bar or fast-food place. Its purpose was to serve hot food and drinks, similar to a modern café or fast-food restaurant. You can see the large stone counter with round holes where hot food was stored in pots. Some counters are decorated with frescoes, often depicting food or drink, adding a colorful touch to the site. There may be small dining areas or benches where customers would sit and eat. 

This was a place where bread was made and sold, showing the importance of bread in the Roman diet. You can see large millstones that were used to grind grain into flour. The bakery has well-preserved ovens where the bread was baked and these ovens are large and made of brick. There are areas with basins and tables where dough was kneaded and prepared. The bakery might have had living quarters for the bakers, showing the combination of work and home life.

The Ostia Antica Theatre is a stunning example of ancient Roman entertainment architecture and one of the things to see at Antica Ostia. The theatre could hold up to 4,000 spectators, making it a significant venue for public performances. The semi-circular design includes well-preserved tiers of seating, offering a clear view of the stage. The stage, or "pulpitum," is where actors performed, and you can see the remains of the backdrop, or "scenae frons," which was often elaborately decorated. The theatre's design provided excellent acoustics, allowing voices to carry throughout the venue.

Talking about what to see at Antica Ostia, the Capitolium in Antica Ostia is a grand temple dedicated to the chief Roman gods. The temple was dedicated to the main Roman gods, Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. It stands prominently in the Forum, the central area of the ancient city. The Capitolium includes large, impressive steps leading up to the temple's high platform. You can see the remains of the massive columns that once supported the temple's roof. The altar in front of the temple was used for religious sacrifices and ceremonies.

One of the wonderful things to see at Antica Ostia are these baths as they are a remarkable example of ancient Roman public baths. These were public bathing facilities, serving as a place for socializing, relaxing, and hygiene. The baths include various rooms, such as the frigidarium (cold bath), tepidarium (warm bath), and caldarium (hot bath). You can see beautiful mosaic floors depicting sea creatures and other intricate designs. The baths had an advanced heating system called a hypocaust, which heated the floors and walls. There is a large swimming pool (natatio) where people can swim and exercise.

The Public Latrines, known as Forica, in Antica Ostia provide insights into ancient Roman hygiene practices. The Forica were public toilets used by residents and visitors of Ostia for sanitary needs. They typically consisted of a row of stone or marble seats with holes, arranged over a channel of running water. Some latrines had water basins or fountains for washing hands, promoting cleanliness. They were strategically located throughout the city, near public buildings, markets, and residential areas.

The Piazza of the Corporations in Antica Ostia is a unique area that reflects the city's commercial and social diversity. You can see inscriptions and reliefs on the walls of buildings that indicate which trade groups used the spaces. The square has rows of shops or offices that once belonged to various guilds, such as bakers, wine merchants, and builders. Each guild had a designated meeting place where members could discuss business and social matters.