Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica Mibact

Ostia first Roman colony was founded, according to literary tradition, supported by some but significant archaeological discoveries in the late seventh century. B.C. by Anco Marcio, in order to create a general store with commercial and military purposes and to ensure the exploitation of coastal salt marshes. Ostia became the port of Rome, taking place in the Republican age (IV century BC - the first century A.D.) functions, first military and then, from the first century to the third century A.D., purely commercial, having become the landing point of the main trade routes of the Mediterranean.  Initial period of decline, which occurred between the fourth and fifth century A.D., followed the gradual depopulation then finally abandoned in the Middle Ages.

At present visitors can see the remains of the city that are extended over an area of ​​34 hectares, corresponding to two thirds of the original extension of the town.

Within a triangle of land, formerly known under the name of Holy Island, it stands the ancient necropolis of Porto. The island, which is bounded on the southeast by the River Tiber to the north from the Fiumicino canal and west by the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the time of the ancient Romans was called Insula Portuensis but in the sixth century AD, due to the strong Christian presence in the territory , acquired the "Sacred" moniker. This' Island was crossed by a major road, the Via Flavia Severiana that connected the city of Porto with the ancient Ostia. There are the residents of Porto to construct the Necropolis to the side of the road. The flooding of the Tiber and the subsequent cover-up of the whole area have allowed excellent preservation of the tombs, from the characteristic pink color. The necropolis discovered in 1925 covering 400 meters and is composed of about 150 graves. The buildings are grouped in small blocks, separated by green areas, squares and streets of passage. The most common type is that of the tombs large square room Family but you can also come across the so-called tombs "poorer" scattered throughout the area. The tombs were used to demonstrate the position of the deceased and his family within society and therefore face the street and are decorated with paintings, mosaics and inscriptions.