ANCIENT OSTIA AND ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS TOUR

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Monday, February 06, 2012

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ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on the Via Ostiense

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura) is one of the five major basilicas of Rome.

Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, the Basilica di San Paolo is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle. It features a fascinating array of historical, religious and artistic sights to explore.

In 386 Emperor Theodosius demolished the original church and began the construction of a much larger basilica.

In 883, the walls and tower encircling the church were completed. This was known as the "Johannipolis," or "City of John" after Pope John VIII (872-882), and was built to protect the church from Lombards and Saracens. The defense works were tested in 1083-1084, when they withstood several attacks by Emperor Henry IV.

Pope Martin V entrusted it to the monks of the Congregation of Monte Cassino. The jurisdiction of the abbot extended over the districts of Civitella San Paolo, Leprignano, and Nazzano, all of which formed parishes.

The graceful cloisters of the monastery were erected between 1220 and 1241. In the time of Gregory the Great there were two monasteries near the basilica: St. Aristus's for men and St. Stefano's for women. Services were carried out by a special body of clerics instituted by Pope Simplicius.

In 1823 a great fire, started through the negligence of a workman who was repairing the lead of the roof, resulted in the destruction of the basilica. Alone of all the churches of Rome, it had preserved its primitive character for 1,435 years.

The whole world contributed to its restoration. The Viceroy of Egypt sent pillars of alabaster, the Emperor of Russia the precious malachite and lapis lazuli of the tabernacle.

The work on the principal facade, looking toward the Tiber, was completed by the Italian government, which declared the church a national monument.

Don't miss the medieval murals high on the walls of the gift shop

Original cover of the Shrine of St. Paul

Cosmati decoration in the cloister

The Cloister

ANCIENT OSTIA: THE HARBOUR OF ROME

OSTIA ANTICA

OstiaAntica: Rome’s ancient port city of Ostia (which literally means “at the mouth of the river”) served as Rome’s original Republican Colony and military outpost as well as a domestic landing for its cargo boats and warships during the Empire.

It is still possible to feel the pace of everyday life for these working class citizens in this amazingly well preserved archaeological site quite similar to Pompeii, but only a very convenient 30 minutes from Rome.

Not only does Ostia have a Pantheon like structure, but having been abandoned just shortly after the Empire’s wide scale forced conversions to Christianity in the late 4th century AD, it still maintains the same type of religious diversity (from pagan temples, to mystery cult worship centers, to Christian sites and even the oldest Jewish Synagogue in the western world) that one would expect to find in such a well traveled port city of the 4th century AD.

Along with sites of Ostia’s religious diversity, it is truly amazing to see the inner workings of things such as how the water flowed through its various public and private bath structures, to see all the still perfectly intact mosaics and marble slabs as we visit locations such as the granaries, bakery, taverns, theater, private homes and fountains that help reconstruct so well the life of any average 4th century working class citizen of the empire.

Your visit to Ostia Antica (ancient Ostia) starts at Via delle Tombe, which leads you to the Porta Romana, one of the city's three gates. This is the beginning of the Decumanus Maximus, the main thoroughfare that crosses the city from north-east to south-west.

You will then arrive at the Terme di Nettuno, where you can admire the beautiful black and white mosaics representing Neptune and Amphitrite, the theatre built by Agrippa, and the Forum which formed the center of the city. Here you will discover the main public buildings, Il Capitolium, the temple of Rome and Augustus, the Basilica and the large thermal baths.

Near the Forum square you will also find the House of Diana and the Thermopolium, an ancient Roman bar with a marble counter and a fresco depicting the fruit and foodstuffs that were sold there. At the end of Via dei Dipinti, a museum displays some of the ancient sculptures unearthed at Ostia.

Tour Details

OSTIA ANTICA & ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS

The archaeological site of Ostia Antica and Museum

The Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls on the via Ostiense.

Typical restaurant with fresh seafod in the Fisherman's harbour.

The seacost and modern octagonal harbour with its shopping centre

Fully escorted Tour with english speaking guide.

The Roman Theatre

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