AROUND ROME

Introduction
The area around Rome houses a few highly interesting sites for those who want to spend some time outside of the Eternal City's center. Both the old Roman port of Ostia Antica or the villa's in the hillside town of Tivoli are worth a visit. Closer to town lies the old stretch of the Roman built tree-lined Via Appia surrounded by a number of important Christian monuments, such as the catacombs and the church of 'Domine, Quo Vadis?'.

Ostia Antica
Just half an hour away, on the metro line between Rome and the coast at Lido di Ostia, lies a silent city of ruins: Ostia Antica. In Roman times, Ostia was the commercial and military port of Rome. Walking over the original roads of this excavated city, Ostia Antica gives an excellent insight in the daily life of ordinary Romans: you will come across buildings that were used as shops and houses, shipyards, theatres and temples. Click here to read more.

Tivoli
The hillside town of Tivoli lies just 30 kilometres southeast of Rome. From the town, you will have a great view over the countryside of the Roman province and you will be able to breathe some fresh Mediterranean air. Tivoli's most famous attraction is the Villa Adriana, the enormous summer house of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The villa was built between 118 and 130 a.D. and was one of the most luxurious houses built in Roman times. Tivoli also houses another famous villa, the Villa d'Este. It was built in the 16th century by the cardinal Ippolito d'Este. Part of it are some of the most beatiful renaissance gardens of Italy, with over 500 fountains. Click here to read more on Tivoli.

Via Appia
The Via Appia Antica, built in 312 b.C. by the censor Appius Claudius Caesus, was the queen of the Roman streets and one of the main roads of the empire. Throughout the ages, the road has brought trade caravans, soldiers, officials, patricians and emperors from the capital to the provinces and back. Along the street are the catacombs of Calixtus and Sebastian and the famous church of Domine, Quo Vadis? (Lord, where do you go?). Click here to read more.