- Olbia is a port city in the north of the island of Sardinia and is located in the Sardinia Region of Italy.
- It was known by the same name during the Roman period when it was an important port in the Province of Sardinia.
History
- Excavations in Olbia harbour found the shipwrecks of 12 cargo ships of the Roman Grain Fleet, all sunk at the same time, possibly when the Vandals conquered Sardinia in 436 CE. They also found 5 medieval wrecks. The timbers of one Roman shipwreck are on display in the Olbia National Archeological Museum.
- Also found from the Roman dockyard were two oak masts measuring 26 feet (7.8m) and 24 feet (7.3m), the only Roman masts ever found, and dated to the reign of Nero (54-68 CE). Their bases were octagonal to secure them into the hull.
- Four Roman Rudders were excavated, similar in size to the rudders from the Lake Nemi Roman Shipwrecks. The remains of a Roman dockyard Crane were also found.
Roman Sites
- Roman Forum
- Roman Aqueduct
- In Via Mincio
Pre-Roman Sites
- A section of the old Carthaginian Wall and Tower.
Museums
- Museo Archeologico di Olbia
- Located at Via Isola Peddone, 07026, Olbia.
- Artefacts from the Roman and Phoenician periods are also on display.
- The museum holds the timbers of one of the twelve Roman shipwrecks found in Olbia Harbour and a reconstruction of the cross section. Also on display are the two unique Roman Masts and three of the Roman Rudder Stocks.
Roman Aqueduct, Olbia