On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Elma
I made a second trip to Italy in February 2011. It was also sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association. “If you want to be a Badger, just come along with me…” It was a week in Rome with side trips to other points of interest.
One of our day trips was to Ostia Antica the port of ancient Rome located at the mouth of the Tiber River. Massive excavations of the site, ordered by Mussolini from 1939 to 1942, were interrupted when Italy became a major battlefield of World War II. While archeology continues there today, the site is open to the public.
Part of a Roman road.
This is part of the mosaic known as the “Bath of the Swimmer.”
This was part of a theater complex. The guide said that it is sometimes used to present performances.
This is part of an insula or apartment building. It was originally several stories tall.
An oven in bakery complex that included buried storage jars and grist mills.
All the modern conveniences.
Ostia lies directly under the flight path to Rome’s airport. The modern world is never far away even in the ruins.
Speaking of the modern world intruding., notice the satellite dish in the upper right.
You can never go wrong taking pictures of cats. There were many around hustling for snacks from the tourists. This one would not lower herself to beg for treats. She also looks just like my current kitty who is interfering with my typing because I am not paying sufficient attention to her.
Kristine
That mosaic is beautiful. Were there any signs that colors had been worn away, or was it originally blue-gray?
What a great trip–Italy is on my list! Thanks for the photos.
eclare
Fascinating! And what a dignified kitty.
Jeffro
Great pics, WG!
My brother and I went to Ostia Antica (instead of to Pompeii) back in 2007, on a day trip out of Rome. It was really fascinating and I hope to go back again someday. =)
OzarkHillbilly
Hmmm, I must have my lefts and rights mixed up. :-)
Sorry, I just couldn’t resist. Thanx for the pics, Elma.
arrieve
I love the juxtaposition of the columns with the plane flying through the sky. I’m always amazed by the survival of ancient places–they’re mostly protected now, of course, but humans have had thousands of years to tear down, rebuild, and generally help themselves to the artifacts.
Elma
@OzarkHillbilly: That is why I was never any good at ballroom dancing. “No, no, your other right.”
Dorothy A. Winsor
I’m always amazed by the way you can just wander around these amazing sites. Very evocative pictures. You can imagine people living there.
Elma
@Kristine: I believe these mosaics were always black and white.
Elma
@Jeffro: I did both on this trip. Ostia was part of the tour. Several of us ditched the day trip to Florence and went to Naples and Pompeii instead. Those pics will show up later.
eclare
@Elma:
Looking forward to those photos!
louc
We went to Ostia Antica in 2010. It was so amazing. We vowed that if we ever came back to Rome, we’d time it so we could go to a concert in the Ostia amphitheater.
Miss Bianca
So cool. Never made it to Ostia on my one trip to Italy – Rome, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, Naples, a bunch of towns with medieval art…but not Ostia, so thank you for sharing!
wrog
The roads always amaze me. I’ve never been to Ostia but there are some around Cambridge. You’re walking along what seems like an ordinary trail through the woods, except for some reason it’s much wider than usual, like a bike path….
… and then you notice it’s been absolutely straight for the last few miles…
(“Oh, … this has been here for 2000 years…. aieee”)
Andrew Abshier
I visited Ostia Antica on my second full day in Rome. Great day, and I had, at most, 50 other people in the ruins, so it was easy to see everything and get clear photos. The mosaics are amazing, but there was also still original art on the walls in the “wealthy” part of Ostia.
JustRuss
We don’t need no stinking Badgers!
Sorry, couldn’t resist. Very nice pics, I’d love to visit Italy again, been too long.
AJ of the Mustard Search and Rescue Team
Beautiful pictures! Ty for sharing.
Origuy
I stayed in Fiumicino my last day in Italy last year. I didn’t have a car and decided not to take a taxi or bus to Ostia, but walked to Portus, the ancient harbor instead. It was interesting, but not as much as Ostia. Oh, well, maybe next time.
Jay C
@Kristine:
While Roman-era mosaics often were done in colors (and large quantities of quite-vivid survivals are known) that particular one looks like it was always intended to be monochrome. Probably cheaper….