The ancient port of Pozzuoli

About this activity

The port of Pozzuoli consisted anciently of the Caligolian Pier and represented the economic hub of the city itself. It during the second century B.C., gained such importance that it became Rome's emporium as well as the main center of maritime trade in the entire Mediterranean. Today, nothing remains of the ancient and glorious pier as it has been totally replaced by the modern one that preserves, however, its physiognomy. Its ancient construction is still considered one of the most impressive architectural constructions of antiquity in terms of functionality and grandeur.

Why visit the port of Pozzuoli

Looking at Pozzuoli's modern pier today, we can visualize the architectural grandeur of ancient Roman civilization. Such mastery in the construction of buildings, harbors, aqueducts and all kinds of building structures has come down to the present day not only with the ruins that have endured over the centuries but is also evident in the fact that some modern constructions are nothing more than an exact reproduction of those that the Romans built anciently.

The Caligolian Pier is an example of this, consisting of a long pier that rests on 15 pillars and has a slight curvature. The pillars and its shape, as in the ancient pier, allowed for greater resistance to winds and storm surges and prevented its silting up as it allowed water to flow between its high arches. At either end of the pier were two triumphal arches: one, close to the mainland, was surmounted by a group of tritons, while on the other stood a quadrille of hippocampi pulling Neptune, the god of the sea. Between the two arches were also columns with Pollux and Castor, sons of Zeus and protectors of seafarers.

Of course, of the remains of the ancient pier there are still traces submerged by the waters today. It was in fact because of the bradyseism that the structure was submerged and then abandoned. The Pier was one of the maritime installations that made up the Ripa Puteolana, a coastal stretch that ran from the Roman emporium, the ancient river port, to the Portus Iulius, the base of the ancient Roman imperial fleet. Its exact appearance as well as the importance and history of this very important trading center have come down to our own time by means of the inscriptions of writers and poets who in their works have faithfully described the ancient Pier and its lofty and historic importance.

Archaeo-snorkeling: discovering the ancient Ripa puteolana

Armed with mask, tube and fins or oxygen tank and wetsuit, the more adventurous and sporty can take a marine excursion among the remains of this ancient coastal stretch. Swimming in waters that are not very deep, one comes across ancient submerged ruins of patrician villas, the workshops of stonemason craftsmen called orrea, thermal environments and pools. A truly exciting excursion in which the seabed is strewn with amphora shards, marble objects and other Roman traces that, of course, cannot be collected. Bream, bass, small barracuda and the fish of the Puteolian Gulf, as well as the beautiful mixed coastal environment of sand and rock, provide the background accompanying the most curious in the pleasant visit-diving.

A pleasant location overlooking the harbor

Right in front of the Caligolian Pier, stands an important meeting place for young Neapolitans: the Gozzetto. A truly interesting location, this quaint historic venue overlooks right on the Puteolian Dock. This is the ideal place to enjoy aperitifs, coffee and enjoy well-deserved moments of relaxation accompanied by the smell of the sea and the pleasant rocking of the boats moored in the ancient harbor. Here it is also possible to eat tasty delicacies in the seafood restaurant Abbascio ù Mare, also a stone's throw from the Pier.

The former Italo Balbo cottage, now Pierluigi Rotta, and the Rione Terra

A short walk from the Pier, it is possible to stroll through the lovely Villetta Italo Balbo, located in the square of the same name where three marble busts of Joseph Mazzini, patriot, politician, philosopher and journalist, Antonio Sacchini, great composer and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, also a famous composer, organist and violinist. Since November 24, 2021, the municipal villa has been dedicated and named Pierluigi Rotta. Officer Rotta fell in the line of duty in a firefight on October 4, 2019, along with his colleague Matteo Demenego.

About a 10-minute walk from the Pier, it is also possible to visit the Earth District, Pozzuoli's first settlement, which was abandoned due to the phenomenon of Bradyseism and is now used as an archaeological trail and a venue for Puteolian events.

Historical background on the Caligolian Pier

Poets and writers tell us through their works that the Caligolian Pier was built in the early imperial age. One of the inscriptions attests that the importance of the Pier was so great that following a violent storm, when much of the building was severely damaged, Emperor Hadrian ordered substantial restoration work on it, which was then carried out in 139 AD, by his successor, Emperor Antoninus Pius. Later also in 394 AD, restoration work was ordered again because in the fourth century the port's activity was still very prosperous. The decline of Pozzuoli's commercial activities occurred substantially because of the strong movements of the Earth (bradyseism), which permanently sank the entire stretch of the ancient Ripa puteolana.

Important things to know about the port of Pozzuoli

From the port of pozzuoli it is possible to take ferries to the islands of Ischia, Capri, Procida and Sorrento.