The Roman city of Aquileia in Friuli was an amazing discovery! It may be hard to believe by visiting it today, but it was once one of the largest and richest Roman cities of its time!

After parking the car, I look around. This village looks like any other small Italian town. However, thanks to my research before arriving, I know that it boasts an illustrious past. And indeed, here is the first sign: “Aquileia te salutat.”

The geographical location played a decisive role in the development and rise to power of this place. The city is located at the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea, along the road connecting Italy to Eastern Europe. A strategic crossroads for commerce and activities.

The History of Aquileia in Friuli, Ancient Roman City

Aquileia played a key role in the Christianization of Central Europe, spreading the Catholic faith to regions where it remains the predominant faith today. For this reason, some of the city’s most important buildings are religious, particularly the Basilica of Aquileia, considered one of the finest examples in the world of early Christian art and architecture.

There are so many things to see and historically significant sites that I can’t fathom why Aquileia doesn’t have a fame that matches its rich historical and artistic heritage. Perhaps nearby Venice overshadows it? So why not include it in your travel itinerary when visiting the more famous lagoon city?

With its River Port, Aquileia in Friuli prospered both demographically and commercially, reaching its peak between 187 BC and 452 AD, when it was devastated by the raids of Attila’s Huns.

Here, you can still see the ancient remains of a large Roman urban center: infrastructures and noble villas. It is surprising to see that, despite the passage of time, part of the original city still stands.

Archaeologists have studied and uncovered other remains through excavations, some of which are partially open to visitors. A lot still remains to be discovered, and work continues relentlessly.

In any case, let me present to you a showcase of the exceptional attractions in Aquileia—prepare yourself; there are really a lot!

The River Port of Aquileia

The River Port stretches along a path lined with alternating cypress trees and Roman structures. Walking along the tree-lined path through a large garden, one gets a complete view of this place. The River Port of Aquileia in Friuli is a perfect example of Roman urban planning and a symbol of the city’s prosperity in that era. You can see the docks where goods were loaded and unloaded.

Along the present-day stream, once the Natisone River, you can spot the walls of warehouses where goods were temporarily stored and the city’s walls, which protected the main area from military attacks. At the end of the path stands the bell tower, signaling that you’ve arrived at the Basilica.

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The Basilica of Aquileia

Undoubtedly the highlight of the town of Aquileia, and one of Italy’s most important religious buildings, is the Basilica of Aquileia in Friuli. You can access it by purchasing a 10-euro ticket, which also grants you access to the baptistery, the Crypt of Excavations, and the South Hall (Sudhalle).

What makes this church so special is its extensive 4th-century mosaic floor, the largest early Christian mosaic in the Western world. Naturally, it’s not walkable, but through an elevated transparent walkway, you can admire every figure represented on the floor: a 750-square-meter carpet adorned with many small mosaics, each symbolizing something. Among the most notable are the rooster and turtle (symbols of light and darkness fighting each other), as well as images of benefactors, nature symbols, animals, plants, and seasons. Naturally, there are also biblical narratives, with the most surprising being the story of Jonah being swallowed and then vomited by a sea monster, depicted in three different mosaic panels.

To gain a clear and complete understanding of the work, it takes quite a bit of time, and a guide would definitely help clarify its meaning: there are many hidden meanings in the artwork that can only be revealed by expert explanations.

The Basilica we see today is the result of over 1,500 years of work. Over the centuries, much has been changed and added. For example, the incredible mosaics were only discovered in the early 1900s after the removal of a tiled floor built over them in the Middle Ages.

The Crypt of Excavations

The Crypt of Excavations is also connected to the main Basilica and is certainly a very mysterious-looking area. In this underground archaeological site, ancient portions of residences and religious buildings that were once part of the Basilica complex have been uncovered, along with many of the mosaics that adorned them.

Some mosaics depict geometric shapes, while others represent more complex images of animals and scenes from nature. The artworks are admired by walking through corridors lined with transparent walkways, almost making it feel like you’re floating over them (albeit at low altitude)! It’s impressive how vibrant some mosaics inside the Crypt are and how meticulous the work has been to bring them to light!

The Baptistery

Just near the main entrance of the Basilica of Aquileia, you will find a separate building housing the Baptistery. At first glance, it appears to be a rather simple structure, lacking the dense decorations found in the main area. The Baptistery owes its charm to the beauty of the six-sided baptismal font and the six columns surrounding it. It’s located in the center of the octagonal room with brick-structured walls and a chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling.

The South Halle

Attached to the Baptistery is the South Hall (or Sudhalle), where you’ll find another display of magnificent mosaics. Here, you’ll spot some black marks: legend has it that they originate from the fires set by the Huns when Attila attacked the city in 452 AD.

The most significant feature of the hall is the colorful mosaic of a peacock hanging on the wall. The peacock represents immortality and thus serves as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection. It dates back to the late 4th century and was discovered in a corridor that connected the hall to the Basilica.

The Bell Tower

No matter where you are in Aquileia, you’ll certainly notice the bell tower towering over the landscape! You can climb to the top of the bell tower (75 meters high) to enjoy stunning views of the city, giving you a sense of how the Roman city was structured.

The Roman Forum of Aquileia in Friuli

At the end of the path along the River Port, you can return to the Forum, which in ancient times was the main gathering place of the city, with markets, commercial activities, and temples where the most important public meetings took place. Today, only 14 columns remain, but at one time there were as many as 50 along each side.

The Early Christian Museum of Aquileia

Lastly, I suggest visiting the Early Christian Museum, a simple yet excellent museum located on the site of an ancient basilica that was transformed into a Benedictine convent in the 9th century.

Here, in addition to several stunning mosaics, you’ll find pieces from other churches: the most valuable being a 4th-century baptismal scene slab and an unfinished relief depicting Saints Peter and Paul.

In fact, much of Aquileia remains hidden; excavation work is progressing slowly, and there are always new discoveries. Certainly, Aquileia was a huge and very wealthy city, home to more than 200,000 people. Today, we can only visit a small portion of what the city was when it was a Roman commercial powerhouse.

Nearby Aquileia in Friuli

Don’t miss the fantastic village of Venzone, completely rebuilt after the 1976 earthquake using its own fallen stones, Colloredo di Monte Albano with its magnificent castle, and San Daniele del Friuli, the city of one of Italy’s most delicious hams! Additionally, there are other less-known but certainly fascinating destinations, such as Fagagna and Spilimbergo, which I recommend visiting if you find yourself in the Province of Udine!

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