Parco archeologico di Ostia antica - Area archeologica dei Porti Imperiali di Claudio e Traiano

After the construction of the port of Claudius, founded in 64 a.D., the greater Roman demands made necessary to build a new bigger harbour basin. During the empire if Traianus, the new hexagonal port was connected with river Tiber throught a canal, in order to facilitate the transfer of goods from the coast to Rome. Nowdays the coastline is 3 km far from the basin of Portus, which is located between Fiumicino Airport and the road and motorway network, with the increasing urbanization. In this context, the archeological area is also an unexpected naturalistic oasis, thanks to its wetlands and rich vegetation. The old town of Portus streched aboud 65 acres during the 5th century, when the wall circuit had been built. The State property area (32 acres) only involves a part of the old town, since the hexagonal basin and the suburb are located inside a private area.