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Once the fourth most important Roman city of Italy. It's a World Heritage Site because of the stunning remains of the 750 m2 mosaic floor in the Basilica from the 4th century.  
WHAT SHOULD YOU CERTAINLY VISIT IN AQUILEIA?

 

ONCE A VERY IMPORTANT ROMAN CITY
 

It's hard to imagine now, but sometime during the heydays of the Roman Empire, this small village was the fourth most important Roman city in Italy and the ninth in the whole Empire!

 

THE AMBER CITY
 

It is hard to believe that in this nowadays small village once lived 100.000 people coming from different countries around the Adriatic Sea. Such as Africa, Egypt and Greece. Aquileia had at a very important river port where several goods were traded (think of olive oil, wine, fruit, glas and amber). Aquileia was connected with its river to Grado and all these goods eventually found their way to the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea. 

 
MILITARY STRONGHOLD
 

Yet Aquileia was not always a busy trading town. It was founded in 181 b.C by the Romans as a military bulwark against the invasions of the barbarians of Northern and Eastern Europe. But also as a settlement for the Roman legions on their way to conquer Northern and Eastern Europe. Especially in wintertime, the Romans came to retreat here and we know that different Emperors like Julius Caesar and Augustus stayed here.

 

BEAUTIFUL BASILICA WITH 750 M2 OF MOSAIC FLOOR

In Aquileia you can see many excavations of Roman structures such as the Forum, the river port with its warehouses and docks, the cemetery, the remains of mosaic floors of houses and above all the fantastic and beautiful 11th century Basilica.  This Basilica was built on top of the foundations of the first Patriarchal Christian Church in North Italy, going back to 320 A.D! Its mosaic floor of 750 m2 is the biggest antique mosaic floor of Europe. 

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THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
 

Aquileia has a very interesting Archaeological Museum, which is among the most important ones in Italy. The National Archaeological Museum has a rich collection of stone images, mosaic floors, utensils, urns, blown glassware, coins and jewellery that were found during excavation in and around Aquileia.

 

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST
 

The important role in Christianity of the patriarchal church along with all the beautiful things found and excavated have ensured that Aquileia was given a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

 

A visit to Friuli Venezia Giulia is not complete without a visit to Aquileia! Do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to be guided through all this beauty. I can tell you much more!

 

The highlights of Aquileia:
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  • The forum
  • The old river port
  • The Basilica and baptistery
  • 750 m2 of mosaic floor in Basilica
  • The North and South Aula of the Basilica
  • The crypt of the Basilica
  • The Roman cemetery
  • The Domus of Tito Macro
  • The Domus episcopale (bishop)
  • The National Archaeological Museum
  • The Museum of early Christianity
  • Military cemetery from World War I
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Good to combine with one of the following sights:​
Palmanova Outlet

Palmanova Outlet

Palmanova

Palmanova

Grado

Grado

Strassoldo Castle

Strassoldo Castle

TEMPORA AQUILEIA

The fourth weekend of June - 23, 24, 25 of June, Aquileia changes for three days into a life-size stage during the "Tempora Aquileia".
During this event you can see the imitation of the battle between  the Roman soldiers and the Celts that actually happend here in  171 b.C .
Besides the battle you can enjoy music, markets and parades, all in ancient Roman style. 
tempora in aquileia.webp
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