| Ostia is a large neighborhood in the XIII Municipio of the comune of Rome, Italy. Ostia (also called Ostia Lido or Lido di Roma) is also the only municipio of Rome on the Tyrrhenian Sea and many Romans spend the summer holidays there.
Sometimes it is confused with Ostia Antica, an archaeological area, that is nearby. The neighborhood was founded in 1884, after the reclaiming of the nearby marshland (the pond of Ostia), which was infested by Malaria. The first inhabitants were peasants coming from Ravenna, in Romagna. Thanks to the opening of the urban railroad Roma-Ostia in 1924, the new village became soon the favourite sea resort of the Romans, while many Art Nouveau houses were built on the waterfront.
The new village was connected to downtown Rome through the new Via Ostiense, which was opened in 1907. During the fascist period, the government expanded massively the neighborhood, which got its ultimate architectural character thanks to many new buildings in Stile Littorio and Rationalism. New infrastructures, like a second road to Rome (the Via del Mare), the promenade and a water airport were also built during this period.
After World War II, many bathing establishments were built on the sea side, and Ostia experienced a tourist boom. The new Cristoforo Colombo avenue connected Ostia with the EUR quarter in Rome. However, the sea pollution which became apparent during the seventies lowered the popularity of Ostia as sea resort.
Ostia is connected to Rome by the Rome-Lido railway line (the Freccia del Mare). It takes about 30 minutes to get from Lido Centro to Rome (Ostiense Station).
Ostia Antica
Ancient Ostia is a large archeological site that was the harbour city of ancient Rome, which is approximately 30 kilometers northeast of the site.
"Ostia" in Latin means "mouth". At the mouth of the River Tiber, Ostia was Rome's seaport, but, due to silting, the site now lies 3 kilometers from the sea. The site is noted for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings and magnificent frescoes. It is easily reachable by a short rail trip from Rome or from the airport or Lido di Ostia by other means of ground transport.
January and February, November and December:
from 8.30am to 4.00pm
March:
from 8.30am to 5.00pm
Since the entry into force of summer (last Sunday in March) in October:
from 8.30am to 6.00pm
Since last Sunday in October (the end of summer) to 1 November:
from 8.30am to 5.00pm
Getting there: Ostia Antica stop on the line Rome - Ostia Lido (Piramide stop terminus of the line B with departures every 30-20 minutes).
Driving along Via Ostiense.
The Village and Castle
Hours: h. 9.00am - 12.45pm, leaving the public before h.1.30pm. Tuesday and Thursday also open from h. 2.30pm to h. 4.15pm, leaving the public within 5pm
|
