Aquileia: Archaeological Heritage and Mosaics

Aquileia is a destination for anyone who would like to combine Roman history, early Christian art, and archaeological landscapes. Most of the site lies unexcavated beneath fields, creating a unique archaeological reserve. The archaeological area covers 155 hectares. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider Aquileia as a base for a culture-oriented stay and organize your sightseeing around the Forum, Basilica, port, and museum.

Roman Aquileia between the Forum and the River Port

The Roman Forum was the central square of the city's political, administrative, and social life. Its dimensions are clearly ascertainable: the Forum measures 141 meters in length and 55 meters in width. The Decumanus of Aratria Galla connected the river port in an east-west direction with the area of the Forum and the theater. This makes it possible to understand the various functions of the ancient city when exploring Aquileia, without reducing it to a single building.

The Roman river port is one of the best-preserved port facilities in the Roman world. Visitors can see preserved waterfront areas, loading and unloading quays, sloping surfaces, and ramps that connected the port with the city's streets. Those particularly interested in trade, infrastructure, and everyday life in the Roman city will find an independent area of focus here alongside the representative monuments.

Basilica, Crypt, and Mosaic Art

Aquileia's patriarchal basilica houses an exceptional mosaic floor. At the same time, it played an important role in the Christianization of a large part of Central Europe. The basilica also has a fresco crypt from the 9th century with 12th-century fresco scenes depicting the legend of the Evangelist Mark.

Mosaic art also includes the three separate sections of the southern hall. The side sections show geometric patterns, while the central section contains octagons with animal figures, including a lamb. This mosaic has been accessible since 2011 in a museum building specially constructed for it. Since January 1, 2026, Aquileia's official combined ticket has included the Basilica with its crypts, the Baptistery and the southern hall, the Domus/the Bishop's Palace, and the Domus di Tito Macro. The regular price is 12.00 euros.

Houses, Museums, and Archaeological Details

The Domus di Tito Macro covers 1,700 square meters and is considered unique in Europe. The tour through the Domus and Bishop's Palace reveals mosaic floors and building structures from the 1st and 2nd, 4th, and 5th centuries at depths of up to 4 meters. In the National Archaeological Museum, the lapidarium galleries contain hundreds of inscriptions and funerary monuments.

Smaller archaeological sites also add to the picture. Fondo CAL includes a residential building open to visitors with geometric black-and-white mosaics. At the northern end of the Fondo CAL archaeological area, the Good Shepherd mosaic decorates the apse hall. Fondo Pasqualis comprises three paved areas that are visible today and interpreted as marketplaces. The Sepolcreto of Aquileia consists of five burial enclosures.

The Early Christian Museum of Aquileia combines a museum presentation with an archaeological area on the site of one of Aquileia's early Christian basilicas. Casa Bertoli is opened to the public on special occasions and during major events, sometimes also with guided tours. These different formats allow you to choose between extensive ruins, mosaics, inscriptions, and individual historic buildings.

Guidance for Planning Your Trip

For preparation, the digital guide “Aquileia patrimonio dell'umanità” offers a map with 100 sights and themed tours through Aquileia. This can be helpful if you would like to focus your stay on Roman urban history, port facilities, Christian art, or residential architecture. Belvedere is also available as another entry in the selection of destinations.Belvedere is available.

For further travel ideas, you can also visit the pages for Bicinicco, Faedis, Pasian di Prato, Savogna di Cividale, Sedegliano, Gonars, and Gorgo. This keeps Aquileia as the specific focus for planning your accommodation and sightseeing, while also allowing you to discover other destinations for your travel selection.

For the higher-level travel overview: Udine.