The ancient ports of Rome
TOWARDS ROME'S SEASIDE
Ever since ancient times, the vie Ostiense and Portuense have joined up Rome and its coast by crossing the rolling plain of the Agro Romano (Roman countryside).
The Portuense road probably dates back to pre-Roman times; its name then was via Campana (from Campo Salino). It ran along the right bank of the Tiber and was used to carry salt to Rome from the area of Maccarese (north of the river delta). Via Ostiense goes back, on the other hand, to the foundation of Ostia; it followed the river's left bank for about 16 miles. The routes followed by both roads are similar to those of the present day roads of the same name.
This territory, today a constantly and often chaotically expanding built-up area, mostly goes back to the post-war period, (Vitinia, Acilia, the modern parts of Ostia and Fiumicino). Despite its rapid growth, it still has vast agricultural areas, large pinewoods, forests and beaches. Inland these natural beauties are protected by the Riserva Naturale del Litorale Romano (Roman coast nature reserve) - a fascinating meeting-point between nature and culture.
The unique feature of the pinewood of Castel Fusano, for example, is the way it combines its rich natural environment with the ancient buried treasures it contains: vestiges of ancient Roman houses, especially patrician and imperial villas, hidden by the underwood and by the magnificent sand dunes.
These villas were connected up by the ancient via Severiana, which touched Antium and continued along the coast until it reached Terracina.
Some stretches of this ancient road, which is quite well-preserved, still cross the pinewood today. This area is accessible to all and can be visited by following well-marked paths.
To discover these area visitors can follow three itineraries: the first leads to the extraordinary archaeological site of Ostia antica; the second takes to the modern seaside resort of Ostia, with its interesting examples of early 20th century architecture and the wonderful pinewoods of Castelfusano and Castel Porziano; while the third goes to the Imperial ports of Fiumicino and shows visitors the evolution of this town, from the ancient necropolis to Valadier's 19th century town planning.
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Historycal itineraries
