Ontdek Friuli met je eigen gids / Discover Friuli with your own guide / Scopri il Friuli con la tua guida privata /
Entdecken Sie Friaul mit Ihrer eigenen Fremdenführerin
Aquileia: Once Rome’s Fourth Most Important City, Now a UNESCO Gem with a 750 m² Mosaic Masterpiece
The Basilica
The inside of the Basilica
The Roman cemetery
The Basilica
WHAT SHOULD YOU CERTAINLY VISIT IN AQUILEIA?
ONCE THE SECOND ROME
Imagine this small village, once home to 100,000 people, thriving as the fourth most important Roman city. Aquileia, known as the "second Rome," was the residence of many Roman emperors and an essential hub in the Roman Empire. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that holds fascinating historical secrets.
THE AMBER CITY
Aquileia’s strategic position on the river made it a vital trade port, where goods like amber, olive oil, and wine were exchanged across the Mediterranean. It was here that amber, imported from the Baltic Sea, was transformed into exquisite jewelry and artifacts that can be seen in the Archeological Museum. Want to know more about the ancient trade routes? Let’s explore together.
A MILITARY STRONGHOLD
Founded as a military outpost in 181 B.C., Aquileia was crucial for Roman legions heading north. Today, you can walk through its ancient streets and view incredible remains of Roman structures, from the Forum to mosaics that tell the story of its rich past.
THE BEAUTIFUL BASILICA
The highlight of Aquileia is its stunning 11th-century Basilica, built over the ruins of an Early Christian church. Its so well preserved 750 m² mosaic floor that dates back to the early 4th century - and one of the largest and best-preserved in Europe—is a must-see. During a guided tour, I’ll share its intriguing symbolic stories.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM & DOMUS DI TITO MACRO
Discover Aquileia’s fascinating Archaeological Museum and step inside one of the largest reconstructed Roman villas in Northern Italy. Imagine life in this opulent home of a wealthy Roman resident—come and learn about its history with me!
BOOK A GUIDED TOUR IN AQUILEIA
A visit to Friuli Venezia Giulia is incomplete without Aquileia. If you want to dive deeper into its rich history, contact me for a guided tour! I’ll show you the hidden gems and share the fascinating stories that bring this ancient city to life.
The highlights of Aquileia:
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The excavations of the forum
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The Roman street
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The excavations of the old river port
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The excavations of Roman houses
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The Basilica with 2 crypts
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The 4th century 750 m2 mosaic floor in the Basilica
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The Baptistery
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The Roman cemetery
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The Domus of Tito Macro
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The remains of the house of the bishop (palazzo episcopale)
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The Archaeological Museum
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The Museum of Early Christianity
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WWI Military cemetery
Good to combine with one of the following sights:
 Palmanova Outlet |
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 Palmanova |
 Grado |
 Strassoldo Castle |
EVENT: TEMPORA AQUILEIA
The fourth weekend 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.
