The decorated houses of Ostia Antica

Among the hidden treasures of Ostia Antica, you can also find a number of very well preserved frescoes which decorated several domus and insulae. They are located in the area of the so-called “case a giardino”, between the Forum and Porta Marina. This neighbourhood was developed under Emperor Hadrian and testifies the wealth of 2nd centruy Ostia. The “case dipinte” can be visited only on special occasions, usually on Sundays at 10:30 am. Booking is compulsory on the official webpage of the archeological site.

You can find below a gallery of most of them: Casa di Diana, Insula di Giove e Ganimede, Insula delle Muse, Insula delle Pareti Gialle and Insula delle Ierodule. All pictures by Stefania Gialdroni.