4-7: Ostia beach

 

I decided to go on an excursion outside of the city to the Ostia Antica ruins, about 15 miles to the west. Unfortunately, when I got there I found out the site was closed on Mondays. Ostia Antica used to be on the coast, but with the sand deposits over the millennia, the coast is now 3 miles further west.

 

Pyramid of Cestia, (1st C. BCE) at the entrance to the train station.

              Porta San Paolo, (3rd C. CE) also at the entrance to the train station, right next to the pyramid. 

So I decided to walk to Ostia town. I followed a frontage road to the highway. It was not very nice, as there was no shoulder to walk on, and the cars treated the frontage road just like a highway. There were these nice "umbrella trees" though. 

                                                                  Ostia beach

                  Ostia town has this lovely beach front walk, which went on for 2.25 miles.

                                         Since I was on the coast, I might s well eat squid.

Evening walk - a couple of landmarks:

                                                                      Temple of Portunus

                                                                   Temple of Hercules Victor

                                                            Santa Maria in Cosmedin Church

A continuation of my list of observations (#11 & #12):

11. These fire hydrant/drinking fountains are all over Rome, and always running.

 

12. A commonly question on Google about Rome: "Where have all the toilet seats gone?"