Ostia was a small village built, between the 6thand 4thcentury BC, to control the mouth of the river Tiber and sea-side. It was the most important city-port of ancient Rome for many centuries. A great majority of the supplies necessary for the Rome were shipped from Ostia along the river Tiber. The original Castrum, a military settlement, became one of the main Roman cities of commercial importance until the beginning of the 4thcentury which is when it was slowly left behind. This well preserved city provides a chance to walk through the original Roman roads flanked by ancient buildings, thermal baths, fire fighting station, public toilets, temples, markets, a theatre and much more. Ostia preserves the evidence of an early Christian community where St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, died. This middle age village, with its castle built in 15th century, is another little gem built just outside of the ruins. It is a testament to the evolution of tradition and architecture in the surroundings of Rome.
