Archaeological Areas of Aquileia
Walk through the remains of one of the great cities of the Roman world, where monumental ruins, extraordinary mosaics and early Christian heritage survive across a remarkably open archaeological landscape. Aquileia offers an unusually broad historical experience, from Roman public life and trade to the development of Christianity in the northern Adriatic.
What can you discover here?
Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia
The Patriarchal Basilica is the most important monument of Aquileia's Christian heritage. The complex preserves exceptional 4th-century mosaics, later architectural elements, the baptistery and archaeological remains from earlier phases of the Christian complex.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum was the political, administrative and social centre of ancient Aquileia. Its monumental remains include the paved square, porticoes and architectural elements that illustrate the importance of the city during the Roman period.
Ancient River Port
The ancient river port offers an impressive archaeological walk along the remains of the city's commercial waterfront. The surviving structures reveal how goods and people moved between the river, markets and wider Mediterranean trading network.
Domus of Titus Macro
The Domus of Titus Macro is one of the important Roman residential complexes of Aquileia. Its remains provide an insight into domestic architecture, household organisation and the development of Roman urban housing.
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum presents important finds from Aquileia and its surrounding region. The collections illustrate the city's development and include sculptures, inscriptions, mosaics, everyday objects and other archaeological discoveries.
Early Christian Museum
The Early Christian Museum presents artefacts and architectural remains connected with the development of Christianity in Aquileia. It complements the experience of the Basilica and provides a wider context for the city's Christian heritage.
Roman Necropolis
The Roman necropolis preserves burial monuments beside an ancient road outside the city. The tombs and funerary remains provide evidence of burial practices and the social structure of Aquileia during the Roman period.
History & Heritage
Aquileia was founded by the Romans in 181 BC and developed into one of the most important cities in northern Italy. Its strategic position connected the Mediterranean with the regions of Central and Eastern Europe, making the city an important centre of trade, administration and military activity.
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Today, large parts of the ancient city remain accessible as archaeological areas. Visitors can explore the Roman Forum, ancient river port, residential buildings, markets, roads, necropolis and remains of public architecture.
Aquileia is particularly important for the history of Christianity. The Patriarchal Basilica preserves exceptional 4th-century mosaics, while the Early Christian Museum contains further evidence of the development of Christian communities in the region.
The ancient city’s position at the meeting point of Mediterranean and Central European worlds also makes Aquileia relevant to the wider cultural context of the Cyril and Methodius Route. It illustrates the long-distance movement of people, ideas, religions and cultural traditions across Europe.
Aquileia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. Its archaeological remains and basilica together provide exceptional evidence of Roman civilisation and the development of Christianity.
Practical Information
Visitor Information +
Fondazione Aquileia
9:00 - 13:00
Tuesday - Thursday
9:00 - 13:00 / 14:30 - 17:00
Basilica di Aquileia
Location
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