Ostiense

Ostiense is a district of Rome, Italy, located on the southern bank of the Tiber, just south of the historic center. It borders the Testaccio district to the north and the Garbatella area to the east. The name derives from Via Ostiense, the ancient road that linked Rome to Ostia, shaping the area’s transport and commercial role.

Historically, Ostiense developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries around the new railway and industrial activity along the river. Its growth was driven by workers and factories, and the district later absorbed public housing models such as Garbatella nearby, while retaining a strong industrial and transport identity. In recent decades, Ostiense has undergone cultural and urban renewal, blending historic sites with contemporary arts and nightlife.

Notable landmarks and cultural sites include the Piramide di Caio Cestio, an ancient pyramid built around 18 BCE near Porta San Paolo, and the Centrale Montemartini, a former power station transformed into an archaeology museum that juxtaposes classical sculpture with industrial architecture. The ex Mattatoio, a historic slaughterhouse complex, has been repurposed as a cultural campus housing MACRO Testaccio, a branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, and hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts, and events. The area around Piazza dei Partigiani and the Testaccio market further emphasizes Ostiense’s mix of history, markets, and street life.

Transportation is well developed, with Rome Metro Line B serving the district at Ostiense and Piramide stations, complemented by regional rail and bus connections. The combination of historic monuments, cultural venues, and urban revitalization makes Ostiense a notable, evolving part of Rome.