AQUILEIA
TIP
If you like rigorous climbing and aren’t afraid of confined spaces, take a hike up the Basilica’s ancient bell tower. It’ll cost a couple of Euro, but the memories will last far longer than the soreness in your thighs. You’ll climb a stone spiral staircase (about 300 stairs total) where you'll get a great view of the bells and the farmland and vineyards below.
OTHER DAY TRIPS
Gorizia
Miramare
Palmanova
Trieste
Venezia (Venice)
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The history
There is such a wealth of history, art and significance concentrated in this small area that Aquileia became a Unesco World Heritage Site in the late 1990s. Founded by Roman soldiers and colonists in 181 BC, when Rome was not yet an empire, it became a busy commercial center and was the base for the Roman fleet. It grew to be one of the most important cities during the Empire, second only to Rome. Destroyed by Atilla and the Huns in the 5th century, many of the residents fled to the uninhabited islands of the lagoon, thus forming the first nucleus of what was to become Venice.
The ruins
Roman remains are found on both sides of the main road: the Forum (columns), the commercial center, foundations of villas with mosaics, the cemetery with some imposing tombs, foundations of a theater, the ancient river port and traces of the Sacred Way. The National Archaeological Museum, right in the center of the town, is considered one of the most important museums in northern Italy and is well worth a visit. Besides statues and sarcophagi, it displays ordinary items of ordinary people (kitchen utensils, dice, beads from as far as the Baltic Sea, toiletries). There is even the skeleton of a Roman ship that transported wine.
The Basilica
The Basilica, as we see it today, is medieval, but was built over an older temple: the mosaics on the floor and the crypts are pre-Christian. The mosaics are simply beautiful. The hexagonal Baptistery is from the early Christian era (5th century). The Basilica, open every day, is still used as a church.
Getting there
Only 11km. North of Grado, Aquileia is easily reached by SAF buses from the Grado Bus Station. It's small, so you can walk everywhere. There are a few restaurants, bars and small shops for those who need a break. There is a visitors' center between the Basilica and the Forum where people can get info and maps.
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