Saturday, June 25, 2016

Ostia: Nature and Antiquity


I was always interested in Ostia Antica and in May when I've been to Italy I finally could visit this ancient city. The beautifully preserved ruins of Ostia lie twenty miles from Rome. By the 2nd century AD, it had become a flourishing commercial center inhabited by upwards of 100,000 people, whose apartment buildings, taverns, and grocery shops are still intact. But later the river Tiber became shallow, and changed its mainstream.
Tyrrhenian Sea waves covered the city with water and silt.
..


 
It was striking impression when I walked down the ancient city. Main street, then I turned into the lane. Well preserved ruins of buildings and mosaics were everywhere but the nature tried to recapture its territory occupied by the ancient Romans. 

 
Plants made their way among the bricks of the ancient walls, through the lime obtained by burning the ancient city's marble.
It was completely silence... No modern houses, roads or telephone wires were visible. I could hear only the crickets in the umbrella-like pines. Many of pines were covered with lianas and vines extending along the trunks to the tops.


Walking along Ostia's main street I've seen deep ruts left by four-wheeled carts used to ferry merchandise and baggage between Rome and Ostia and millions of poppies growing on the both sides of the main road. Tall cypresses, pines, bushes have grown between walls, statues, on squares.


Behind the theater is the Forum of the Corporations, so called because the offices of sixty-four maritime companies. Now dandelions, poppies, oats and veronica reigned on the ground in front of each office. 

 
I found a cluster of four-story apartment buildings that were inhabited by middle-class families. Many of buildings still have the ground floor shops, kitchens with pipes that channeled hot running water.
It was lunch time and I decided to sit in an ancient room and have a snack. Quietness, high pines, a riot of wild flowers and trees was around me.


Have you been before to such ancient places? 
What is your opinion about nature displacing antiquity?
Would you like to visit a place like Ostia Antica?

35 comments:

  1. I love visiting ancient places and being surrounded by history! I must add this place to my list :)

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    1. Sure this place deserves to be visited, Keith.

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  2. Hello Nadezda!
    I love ancient sites. He dedicated them to the current post.
    I like wandering around the ruins, admiration monuments of the past.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Lucja

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  3. We visited Italy in 2008, and I was in awe. When we stood at the Coliseum, you could have heard a pin drop. I just thought about all the people who had passed through there and all the stories that could be told. It is always humbling to me to visit a historical site, and a dose of humility is always good for the soul.

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    1. The same feeling I had Judy. They could tell many stories about their lives.

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  4. Beautiful post about Ostia in Rome, it does remember to the visit of my sister and me already 6 years ago.
    Enjoy your weekend!

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  5. Gorgeous historic place! can not understand how on earth it has survived the passage of time. Greetings

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    1. Yes it was preserved well under Tyrrhenian sea and then restored. Thank you Hetty.

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  6. Many of our monastery ruins have been colonised by nature - it's just the natural order of things.

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  7. ♫♪ه° ·.
    Belas fotos de Ostia. Lugar emocionante.

    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.
    💕ه° ·.

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  8. Beautiful pictures! It most have been a most interesting trip!

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  9. WOW, It was so nice to visit your bog this afternoon. I have been to Ostia a number of years ago so it was great seeing your photos of that city once again. Thanks for the posting and the memories. Jack

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  10. Lovely post, I do agree, there i a certain feel in these places. I had tis feel when we were walking on via appia in Rome. Groetjes Hetty

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    1. I love these places as well, Hetty. Thank you!

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  11. I love visiting ancient places like this, with nature creeping back and reclaiming its space. Your photos capture the atmostphere of the place. Beautiful :)

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  12. Hello Nadezda girl : )
    This is remarkable indeed .. I am sure the "keepers" of this place make sure that nature doesn't take over completely but let it run a little with itself because it does look more natural with some of it creeping in.
    It must have been eerie with the quiet .. we aren't used to that are we ? .. it is an amazing place and I love seeing it through your narrative and the camera's "eye" !
    Take care : )

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    1. You're right Joy, we aren't used to silence, the noise is around us everywhere. So it's amazing place where one's listening to quietness and watching antiquity.

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  13. Hello Nadezda,
    I love all of these photos, but especially the first and the mosaics. All in such good order considering their age. A very interesting text as well.
    It would be wonderful to visit Ostia. I remember many years ago visiting the Coliseum and more recently the ancient dwellings of people living on the Orkney Island many thousands of years ago. They all generate a feeling of awe and respect.
    I agree with Joy that it looks natural with a little flora creeping around the edges, but still able to see the ruins quite easily.
    Thank you for sharing this place of such antiquity and beauty.
    Betty

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    1. You're welcome Betty, I'm glad you're interesting in such ancient places.

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  14. Thank you, Nadezda, for sharing these peaceful and beautiful moments with us!
    The place is truly fascinating and your photos are lovely.
    I'm sorry I'm again behind in visiting blogs. I have some time issues and now Internet connection issues as well. :)
    Wishing you happy and beautiful summer days!

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    1. Do not worry Sara, I'm always glad to read your interesting comments.
      Have a nice week!

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  15. Thank you for the tour! I would love to go to Italy and see places like Ostia. We have been to Turkey and seen Ephesus and some smaller ancient sites. Fascinating!

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    1. I agree, Jason, these places are magnificent.

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  16. Me encantan estas ciudades romanas Nadezda. En ellas vemos como vivian antiguamente. Nosotros hemos vivido en Mérida y aquí cerca tenemos las antigua Cáparra, son interesantes de visitar.
    Un beso.

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    1. Es interesante, verdad, Laura. Yo se que en España hay muchos sitios antiguos.

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  17. A very special ancient place. I have visited very few such places but they are amazing. Thank you for sharing your experience and beautiful pictures of Ostia!

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