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GRADO |
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CIVIDALE |
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LE GROTTE |
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ISOLA DELLA CONA |
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PALMANOVA |
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TRIESTE |
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GEMONA |
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VILLA MANIN |
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AQUILEIA
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Aquileia
was founded in 181 B.C. Its Archaeological area is
exceptionally important and is considered part of the
Heritage of mankind by Unesco.
Excavations have brought to light the ruins of the Roman
forum and a basilica, the graveyard, mosaic floors
foundations of houses, statues, the Sacred Road, markets,
walls, the river port, a large mausoleum, etc.
Hundreds of Roman objects (statues, mosaics, coins, glasses,
terracotta, urns, bronze statues, a boat, gravestones, etc.)
are exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum.
The splendid Basilica of S. Maria assunta was erected on a
4th century building which was enlarged several times over
the centuries (and was partly destroyed during the Barbarian
invasions.
In the church the famous Early Christian Mosaics (4th
century) can be admired - they are a milestone of the
Italian history of art.
Special mention has to made of the 12th century frescos in
the crypt and the 11th century ones on the vault of the apse.
Another interesting building is known as Santo Sepolcro (built
in the 12th century as an imitation of the Holy Sepulchre in
Jerusalem).
The Excavation Crypts contains beautiful mosaics of
the church built in the 4th century by bishop Teodoro on the
structure of an ancient Roman villa and is an important
element of the history of early Christian Aquileia.
Behind the basilica there is the dead soldiers’ cemetery
where, among others, ten unknown soldiers found on the
battlefields of the First World War are buried (another dead
soldier buried in Aquileia was chosen to be taken to the
Altar of the Fatherland in Rome). |
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