We plan to be at Ostia Antica on Sunday May 3. Website says "The Decorated Houses can be visited on Sunday morning at 10.30 a.m., only with advance reservations which can be booked at the following number: 0039 (0)6.56.35.80.44.
The houses which can be visited are: Insula of the Ierodule, Insula of the Muses, Insula of the Painted Vaults and Insula of the Yellow Walls. It is also possible to reserve the tour by the Insula of Diana and Insula of Jupiter and Ganymede."
I called the number, and could get no one who spoke English. After some attempts to make request anyway, I was told "May 3 no possible." Given the mutual lack of comprehension, I wonder if this is really true. Does anyone have experience arranging to see the Decorated Rooms?
Posted by
Indianapolis
247 posts
It looks like there is a way to contact them by e-mail form on the website (I found it under the guided tours section). Perhaps you can send them your question there? It might be worthwhile to send the e-mail that has both English and translated into Italian. (If you have rick's phrasebook it should have helpful sentences. If not you can try translate.google.com)
Hope you're able to work it out! From the pictures I've seen online - the rooms are beautiful!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Sounds to me like they're booked up. If you're going to be in Rome anyway, you can go see some amazing frescoed rooms in the Palazzo Massimo museum.
More info here:
http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/en/museums/national-roman-museum-palazzo-massimo-alle-terme
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for your good advice. I will proceed with both of your proposals!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
One of the cool things about Palazzo Massimo is that it's one of the best kept secrets as far as museums in Rome go. You may feel as if you have the whole place to yourself.
And, as described in the brochure:
Here cycles of frescoes representing the height of Roman painting are presented in an evocative
exhibit that recomposes the original settings, and an extensive collection of polychromatic
mosaics and fine inlays documents the evolution of mosaic decoration from the
1st century BC through the 4th century AD
My jaw literally dropped when I walked into the first frescoed room.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16792 posts
Like Michael, I'm thinking the problem is that they're booked up (but hope I'm wrong). May 3 is a free Sunday at the state museums so most of the them are going to be even busier than normal.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Tried email to [email protected]. Response is: Good morning you have to book...the number is 0656358044