Italy Guide
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Aquileia
AQUILEIA was established as a Roman colony in 181 BC, its location at the eastern edge of the Venetian plain – on the bank of a navigable river a few kilometres from the sea – being ideal for defensive and trading purposes. It became the nexus for all Rome's dealings with points east and north, and by 10 BC, when the Emperor Augustus received Herod the Great here, Aquileia was the fourth most important city in Italy, after Rome, Milan and Cápua. In 314 AD the Patriarchate of Aquileia was founded, and under the first patriarch, Theodore, a great basilica was built. Today it is a quiet little town of 3500 people.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Aquileia's rich history is made visible in the layers of the vast Basilica (summer daily 9am–7pm; winter Mon– Fri 9am–1pm & 2–5pm, Sat & Sun 9am–5pm; free), just east of the main road. The earliest part, Theodore's extraordinary mosaic pavement, was discovered below the nave floor at the beginning of the twentieth century and is thought to be the earliest surviving remnant of any Christian church. Other mosaics from Theodore's original basilica, depicting a whole bestiary, have been discovered around the base of the campanile (access from inside the basilica). Next door, a climb up the bell tower (March– Oct daily 9.30am–1pm & 2.30–6pm; €1.10) gives a new perspective on the basilica as well as views stretching from the mountains to the coast.