This is it! The day we thought would never come--the final installment of our Rome adventure! This final day was completely taken up with two things: the ruins of Ostia Antica and the gardens of the Villa d'Este.
Ostia Antica
One of the most extensive and well-preserved ruins in the world, Ostia Antica was a Roman port town, so it was a bit seedier than similar ruins like Pompeii. Also, no volcano. We didn't get a guided tour so I'm sure we missed a lot, but here are some of the highlights.
The main temple
Pots for grain storage
Ruins of the synagogue
4th Century baptismal font
Another temple
The theatre
Villa d'Este
Once the estate of the grandson of corrupt pope Alexander VI, the Villa d'Este is a symbol of all that was wrong with the Church during the Renaissance. But it is also a stunningly beautiful piece of land, and now that it's been opened to the public instead of power-hungry cardinals, it's a must-see attraction. Built onto the forested hillside of the town of Tivoli, the grand estate boasts even grander gardens, with hundreds of fountains and lush greenery overlooking a sunlit valley. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Rome, and one of the most beautiful places we've ever been.
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