Centro Habitat Mediterraneo

In the 1990s, the area of the Ostia Seaplane Base was occupied by an open landfill site, known for being the scene of the murder of Pier Paolo Pasolini on November 2, 1975.
In 1995 the area caught the attention of an Australian company, which proposed the construction of an oceanarium that would irreparably alter the ecosystem of the mouth of the Tiber. To oppose this proposal, the Ostia delegation of the Italian Bird Protection League (LIPU) proposed the creation of a nature reserve and – after a heartfelt campaign to collect signatures within the XIII Circoscrizione (today the Municipio X) – the project was approved; after the reclamation of the area, the oasis opened in 2001. This was also accompanied by the inauguration of the nearby Marina of Rome, part of a project for the redevelopment of the seaplane base area.

The 20 hectares of greenery, with an artificial pond in the center, are a refuge and a stopping place for various species of animals (mainly birds) and attract professional photographers and birdwatchers from all over the world. Inside the oasis there is the "Pier Paolo Pasolini" Literary Park, inaugurated on November 2, 2005, where a concrete sculpture was erected to commemorate the well-known Italian writer and director. The sculpture, the work of Mario Rosati, was damaged in 2016 by some vandals but was restored over the following year.[1][2]
In 2016 a bunker dating back to World War II, probably for anti-aircraft use, was unearthed in the oasis.

The flora is typical of the maquis shrubland, with Italian buckthorn, bay laurel, giant cane, strawberry tree, phillyrea, sea daffodil, broom, rushes, evergreen oak, lentisk, silver poplar, rosemary, blackberry, willow, cork oak, tamarisk.

The "Pier Paolo Pasolini" Park.

The Centro Habitat Mediterraneo includes:

• the "Mario Pastore" Visitor Center (dedicated to the journalist and president of LIPU Mario Pastore), with function of providing first aid to injured wild animals and welcoming visitors by hosting and organizing cultural events;
• five photographic sheds, three of which are open all year to photographers and visitors and the other two are "floating" sheds reserved for authorized photographers;
• An anti-aircraft bunker dating back to World War II;
• The "Pier Paolo Pasolini" Park, also accessible from Via dell'Idroscalo.

The center can be reached from the bus stops Idroscalo/Atlantici 1 and Idroscalo/Atlantici 2.