During the Roman era, the maritime harbour of
Rome was
Ostia. From there, the wares destined to the town were transported up the
Tiber, along which several docks, with specific functions, were placed. The general river
emporium rose on the left bank of the river, starting from the present
Rione Testaccio - where remains of the
Porticus Aemilia and of the
emporium are still visible - up to the slopes of the
Aventine Hill, that for this reason was intensely populated during the Imperial era. The port area never completely stopped its activity even in the last years of the Empire and during the Middle Ages, serving as a landing place both for pilgrims and wares. It therefore went on housing both structures for craftmanship (carpentry, boathouse, service buildings and so on) and military structures for the control of river traffic and fiscal collection. The river port of Ripa Grande, that was the main dock on the
Tiber, though much less monumental than the
Port of Ripetta, was rebuilt in the 17th century opposite to the former
Emporium, on the other bank of the Tiber and just a few upstream than the previous location, within
Porta Portuense (that had been withdrawn as well). == The arsenal ==