Ostiense

Ostiense is a quarter in the south of Rome, close to the Tiber’s left bank. It stretches from Porta San Paolo along Via Ostiense to the Magliana Viaduct. The quarter includes the neighbourhood of Garbatella and the urban zone 11A Ostiense. Its name comes from the old Porta Ostiensis, the gate that once marked the start of the road to Ostia. The quarter began to grow in 1907 when an industrial area was planned under mayor Ernesto Nathan. By 1921 it had become one of Rome’s first fifteen official quarters. Landmarks such as the Centrale Montemartini and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls stand here. The quarter is worth visiting for its mix of industry, art and history. The Centrale Montemartini, once a power station, now houses part of the Capitoline Museum’s classical sculpture collection. The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls dates from the late 9th century, built by Pope John VIII after a Saracen raid. The Roma Ostiense railway station serves as the city’s main hub and hosts Eataly, the world’s largest Italian food market. The Mercati Generali, a river harbour from the early 20th century, adds to the area’s character. The quarter’s streets and squares bear names of explorers, missionaries and scientists. A visitor finds wide roads like Via Ostiense and Circonvallazione Ostiense, lined with monuments and parks. Largo delle Sette Chiese holds a monument to the Resistance, while Piazzale di San Paolo faces the basilica and a large park. The Catacomb of Saint Thecla offers underground galleries of early Christian art. Churches such as San Benedetto and Santa Maria Regina degli Apostoli stand in quiet corners. The quarter’s squares, from Piazza Damiano Sauli to Piazzale Ostiense, show its blend of working life and local culture.