Centumcellae

Centumcellae was a major commercial and naval port built by Trajan in 106 CE to serve Rome.
It is now the deep water harbour of Civitaveccia located 37 miles (60km) northwest of Rome.

National Archeological Museum of Civitavecchia
- The Museum holds Artefacts from the Port, as well as a detailed Plan of Trajan’s Harbour.

Rome was at the height of its commercial power under Trajan, who decided Rome required another giant harbour to complement Portus.
The harbour was first described by Pliny the Younger (61-112 CE), who stayed in Trajan’s villa which overlooked the construction of the Port.
The harbour was built in the shape of an Amphitheatre with a curved breakwater to the south and a fortress on the end.
There was a straight breakwater to the north, perforated by tunnels designed to reduce the oscillation of the waves, also with a fortress on the end.
An artificial island, built from the material excavated in the harbour, acted as an offshore wall. On it were two forts and a Lighthouse.
It had a permanent depth of 20 feet (6m) making it an all year round harbour.
The Port had an impressive complex of Temples, Colonnades, Statues and Columns.

Trajan ordered the construction of an inner harbour, the Vecchia Darsena, which still exists today as part of the old harbour of Civitaveccia.

During the 2nd and 3rd century CE, the Roman Navy had a base at Centumcellae which accommodated war galleys.
Gravestones found nearby attest to sailors in Biremes, Triremes and Quadiremes being based here from both the Imperial Fleets at Ravenna and Misenum.

The Lighthouse was situated on an artificial island between two giant moles that protected the entrance to the harbour of Centumcellae. It is no longer in existence.

These were the Baths of Trajan located 2 miles (3km) northeast of Civitaveccia, which were served by nearby Hot Springs.

Darsena Romana, Centumcellae, Civitavecchia