Capitolium of Ostia
The Capitolium stands at the far end of Ostia Antica's Forum, its brick podium rising on 21 steps above the flat, rural plain — the single structure that remained visible for centuries while floods slowly buried everything around it. That long exposure explains the pitting across its surface: where marble cladding once fastened, only the anchor holes remain, a kind of ghost map of the white-clad temple it once was.
Dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva — the Capitoline triad — and built around AD 120 under Hadrian's broad programme of civic renewal, it measures 35 by 17 metres and may once have reached 20 metres in height. Six columns fronted the porch; inside, the three gods stood on a podium against the back wall.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to climb the steps rather than just photograph from below. From the top of the podium, the Forum's Corinthian colonnades arrange themselves in a way that's hard to read from ground level, and the flatness of the surrounding countryside — no modern skyline intruding — makes the scale of the ancient city suddenly legible.
The story behind Capitolium of Ostia
The visible temple dates to around AD 120, built during the reign of Hadrian as part of a sweeping reshaping of Ostia's civic centre. It replaced an earlier cult building from the 1st century BC, probably dedicated to the same triad, which itself stood over an older public structure — layers that a test pit in the Forum square still exposes.
For much of the medieval and early modern period, the podium was the only thing above ground in Ostia Antica. Successive floods raised the surrounding terrain metre by metre, swallowing the theatre, the warehouses, the baths. The Capitolium endured alone — which is why its marble facing was stripped long ago, and why those empty anchor holes are now the most eloquent thing about it.
Good to know
Take the Roma Lido commuter train from Piramide (Line B) to Ostia Antica — about 35 minutes. The Capitolium sits past the Museo Ostiense and requires a deliberate detour from the main route; factor that into your timing. Adults pay €18; free on the first Sunday of each month. Closed Mondays.
May through October brings the most workable conditions, with temperatures between roughly 21°C and 28°C. The site offers very little shade, so in July and August a hat and water matter more than you'd expect; November is the wettest month and the paths can be muddy after rain.
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What travellers say about Capitolium of Ostia
Amazing !!! So conveniently close to the airport… Many amazing ancient Roman ruins to Discover!
Most of the city is destroyed but the capitolium looks like it was one of the biggest buildings during the time. With its massive stair case and front entrance design, this makes it one of many jaw dropping landmarks throughout the antique Ostia park city.
The Capitolium was cool, the largest structure in the ruins. Going up it is closed to the public though.
A must see if you're in Rome. Ruins and monuments from BC times, quite quiet and not very crowded so lovely to walk around. Rent a mini car or scooter and go there, definitely worth it
I was there on Wednesday and only few people were there. Very nice place. I liked it more than forum romanum. :)
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