Ostia Antica
Today we packed up and left the Rome apartment after breakfast at our usual place and relocated to the airport hotel. From there it was a quick cab ride to the archeological site of Ostia Antica. This site was the port of Rome on the Tiber River where it meets the sea from 4BC - 4AD. The remains are an excellent example of a working class 1st century Roman city. Life in a Roman city during the time of the New Testament. This site was never destroyed by earthquake, never burned to the ground, never completely flooded, and as a consequence has much of its character and beauty intact.
A highlight of Ostia Antica is the remains of an early synagogue, the oldest known in Europe. It is far out at the very end of a very large archeological park. We had a disturbing incident as we arrived - alone, most visitors don’t make it out this far on the site - someone from behind a fence nearby yelled “Heil Hitler”. In view of a history of violence at the Rome synagogue, it was a little unnerving, but nothing further happened.
After walking the archeological park for over 6 hours. (And still not seeing at least half of it), we headed into the medieval part of the ancient city of Ostia and had one our best meals in Italy at a quaint little restaurant.
We are now back at the hotel. Tonight we will take the covered overpass to the airport to make sure we know where we are going in the wee hours of tomorrow morning! So thankful for having had a safe trip and praying for smooth travel home. God Bless, PB & Margery, Scott & Shelly
Remains of the synagogue at Ostia Antica
