Ostia is simply a large neighborhood located in the X Municipio of Rome, Italy near Rome’s ancient port. Ostia is located close to Ostia Antica, a major archaeological site in Rome today on the coast of Tyrrhenian coast near Acilia. The mouth of Tiber River separates Ostia from Fiumicino. At the height of Ostia back in the 2^nd century, its population stood at around 50,000. In order to accommodate the ever growing population, tall brick apartments of between three and five stories were constructed. The floors of these apartments were paved using mosaic, and the walls were elaborately painted. Largest flats were made up of up to 12 rooms. The town’s immense growth led to its wealthiest people being very generous to the poor leading to public funds being restricted. However, the magistrates were expected to appreciate the honor given to them in a practical way (Aldrete, 2004). 

        Ostia is the only district or municipio of Rome located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, something that leads to many Romans spending their summer holidays here. Today, Ostia boasts o a population of around 85,000 inhabitants, making it either the first or second most populate frazione of Italy. However, Ostia’s position in terms of population depends on whether Mestre is counted. 

Ostia was founded back in 1884 near Ostia Antica’s remains, Rome’s ancient port city. The founding of Ostia was influenced by the reclamation of the surrounding marshland (pond of Ostia) that was heavily infested with by malaria. The first inhabitants of this place were peasants that came from Ravenna, in Romagna. As a result of the opening of the urban Roma-Ostia railway back in 1924, the new village that accommodated peasants became a significant sea resort for Romans. This situation led to many Art Nouveau being built on the waterfront. The new village was connected to the central parts of Rome through Ostiense opened in 1907 (Meiggs et al, 1973). This neighborhood was immensely expanded during the Fascist period by the government. This expansion eventually led to the area getting its ultimate its current architectural thanks to the construction of new buildings in Stile Littorio. Some of the structures that were built during this period are the promenade, a water airport and a second road to Rome. After the Second World War, several bathing establishments were constructed in the sea side, something that led to Ostia experiencing a tourist boom. However, Ostia’s popularity as a sea resort was lowered in the 1970s as a result of sea pollution. 

Today, Rome-Lido railway line connects Ostia to the center of Rome. Daily, this railway line carries over 90,000 passengers by providing 12 journeys with an hour during the rush hour. The full length of this railway line stands at 28.359 kilometers and has 13 stops. Overall, the journey on this railway line lasts for around 37 minutes. At the same time, the Roman terminal located at Roma Porta San Paolo Station is very close to Rome Metro, line B (Piramide stop and further close to the Roma Ostiense railway station. Some of the rail stops Ostia include: Ostia Lido Nord, Ostia Antica, Ostia Stella Polare and Cristoforo Colombo. 

References

Aldrete, G. S. (2004). Daily life in the Roman city: Rome, Pompeii and Ostia. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press.

Meiggs, R., & American Council of Learned Societies. (1973). Roman Ostia. Oxford [England: Clarendon Press.