Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Rome The Museum of Roman Ships at Fiumicino

The Museum of Roman Ships at Fiumicino

Roman-era ships unearthed...

Rome, Italy

Added By
Rebekah Otto
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  http://www2.rgzm.de/Navis/Musea/Ostia/Imag...
  http://www2.rgzm.de/Navis/Musea/Ostia/Imag...
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

An accidental discovery delivered this unique collection.

In the early 50s when the Italian government began excavating for a new airport, they stumbled upon an ancient port built by Emperor Claudius in 46 C.E. An archeologist's dream: they found boats, entire hulls of Roman freighters and a fishing boat. These ships provide a precise glance into everyday life of ancient maritime Rome.

These large vessels carried 1,500 tons of grain. After the fall of Rome, boats of that capacity were not built again until the late 1700s.

Next to the Leonardo da Vinci Airport, the museum features the found pieces of the ships as well as other artifacts of sea-faring life, like amphorae, the containers used to move oils and grains from Alexandria in Eygpt to Rome.

Roman fisherman kept their catch alive all the way back to port because their boats were designed with a central compartment with small holes to allow sea water in - an ancient aquarium.

Note: on the first Saturday and last Sunday of each month, a special archeological tour is led of the whole port area. It leaves from the museum at 9:30 a.m.

Update as of March 2021: The museum has been restored and re-opened on October 12th, 2021

Related Tags

Ruins
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Rebekah Otto

Edited By

ricorico913, aribrown, diegotonini

  • ricorico913
  • aribrown
  • diegotonini

Published

February 8, 2010

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Little-Known Museums In and Around Rome, by Rachel Kaplan. Harry Abrams, Inc. 2000.
  • http://www2.rgzm.de/navis/musea/ostia/fiumicino_english.htm
The Museum of Roman Ships at Fiumicino
15 Via Alessandro Guidoni
Fiumicino Airport
Rome, 00054
Italy
41.786924, 12.254533
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Secret Compartment in Leonardo da Vinci Statue

Rome, Italy

miles away

Pier Paolo Pasolini Park

Rome, Italy

miles away

Casa Sperimentale

Fregene, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rome

Rome

Italy

Places 144
Stories 24

Nearby Places

Secret Compartment in Leonardo da Vinci Statue

Rome, Italy

miles away

Pier Paolo Pasolini Park

Rome, Italy

miles away

Casa Sperimentale

Fregene, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rome

Rome

Italy

Places 144
Stories 24

Related Places

  • Tharandt, Germany

    Tharandt Castle Ruin

    Near Dresden, a scenic medieval castle ruin offers atmospheric views, educational ties to forestry, and a glimpse into Saxony’s past.

  • Barnsley, England

    Tankersley Old Hall Ruins

    The ruins of a significant 16th-century building once appeared in a 1969 film.

  • View inside the P-4.

    Walferdange, Luxembourg

    Raschpëtzer Qanat

    A Roman water tunnel still flows 2,000 years on.

  • Greifswald, Germany

    Eldena Abbey

    These crumbling monastery ruins inspired a master of German Romanticism.

  • The arch is visible below the surface

    Lleida, Spain

    Pont de Montiberri

    A river hides a charming medieval bridge.

  • View from below.

    Urubamba, Peru

    Machu Colca

    This archaeological site features an early version of today’s refrigerators.

  • The ruins in 2014

    Seacliff, New Zealand

    Seacliff Asylum Ruins

    The remains of a notorious mental institution that became known for its structural design failures and experiments carried out on patients.

  • Tamaqzah, Tunisia

    Tamaghza El Gdima (Abandoned Village of Tamerza)

    The ruins of a village destroyed by a 22-day flood.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.