The Archaeological Park of Ocriculum

The Archaeological Park of Ocriculum is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in central Italy. Covering 36 hectares, it is among the largest archaeological areas in Umbria and preserves the remains of a city that played a key role in the Roman world.

Ancient Ocriculum, corresponding to present-day Otricoli, was the first Umbrian municipium along the Via Flaminia and an important river port on the Tiber, strategically positioned between Rome and northern Italy. Its significance is reflected in the exceptional artefacts discovered here, many of which are now housed in renowned institutions such as the Vatican Museums and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.

Walking through the site, visitors can explore the remains of a flourishing Roman city dating largely to the 2nd century AD. Among the most impressive monuments are the monumental Great Substructures, the Theatre, the Thermal Baths, a Nymphaeum, the Amphitheatre, and a paved section of the ancient Via Flaminia, lined with funerary monuments and a public fountain.

To the east of the archaeological area, along the modern SS3 Flaminia, lies a pre-Roman necropolis dating to the 7th century BC, providing evidence of human settlement long before the Roman period and highlighting the continuity of life in this territory over nearly three millennia.

One of the most remarkable features of Ocriculum is the setting itself. The archaeological remains are immersed in a landscape that has remained largely unchanged for centuries, where nature and history blend seamlessly. Accessible walking paths allow visitors of all ages to explore this unique environment, experiencing the extraordinary relationship between archaeology, the river and the surrounding countryside.