Aquileia (Friuli Venezia Giulia): what to see


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What to see in Aquileia, an itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the Patriarchal Basilica, the Crypt of the Frescoes, the Crypt of the Excavations and the archaeological museum.


Tourist information

Located in the province of Udine, Aquileia has a built-up area developed around the patriarchal basilica, having a diameter of about two kilometers.

The municipal area includes the remains of the ancient Roman city dating back to 181 BC. and, in the southern part behind the Grado lagoon, a cultivated area alternating with thick groups of trees.


In the Belvedere area, in front of the lagoon, there are the Pineta di San Marco and the Pineta di Bielvedè.

Beyond the ruins of the ancient walls that surrounded the town, there is the beautiful Romanesque basilica.

The patriarchal basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, formerly the cathedral of the patriarchate of Aquileia, is located on the side of the via Sacra and overlooking piazza del Capitolo, together with the baptistery and the majestic bell tower.


Erected on top of a fourth century building, it is the result of several alterations carried out over the centuries.

The interior is a Latin cross, with three naves and a raised presbytery.

What see

The current structure of the church, which dates back to 1031, includes the changes made by the patriarch Poppone, consisting of raising the perimeter walls, remaking the capitals, creating a fresco in the apse and building the 73-meter-high bell tower, from the top of which accessible via internal staircase, you can enjoy a wide panorama that ranges from the Prealps to the lagoon.


But the real jewel of the Basilica of Aquileia is the mosaic floor, full of Christian symbols that represent the triumph of life over death.

Of notable interest are the Crypt of the Twelfth Century Frescoes, the Crypt of the Excavations, essential for knowing the history of Aquileia in the early Christian centuries, and the Holy Sepulcher, built in the twelfth century using the model of Jerusalem as a model.

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The via degli scavi of the river port, also known as via Sacra, leads to an archaeological area where, following the via Giulia, you reach the Roman forum, the mausoleum and the basilica, while following the Via XXIV Maggio you reach the great thermal baths of the third century, also in via dei Patriarchi there are the remains of the markets.

To visit the National Archaeological Museum, which preserves materials recovered from various areas of the territory of Aquileia.

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Tags: Friuli Venezia Giulia
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