Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Basilica
(Piazza Capitolo; crypts adult/reduced €3/2.50, bell tower €2; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, from 11.30am Sun,
bell tower summer only)
The entire floor of the Latin cross-shaped basilica, rebuilt after an
earthquake in 1348, is covered with one of the largest and most spectacular Roman-era
mosaics in the world. The 760-sq-metre floor of the basilica's 4th-century predecessor is
protected by glass walkways, allowing visitors to wander above the long-hidden tilework,
which includes astonishingly vivid episodes from the story of Jonah and the whale, the
Good Shepherd, exacting depictions of various lagoon wildlife, and portraits of, presum-
ably, its wealthy Roman patrons and their quotidian business interests.
Treasures also fill the basilica's two
crypts
. The 9th-century
Cripta degli Affreschi
(Crypt
of Frescoes) is adorned with faded 12th-century frescoes depicting the trials and tribula-
tions of saints, while the
Cripta degli Scavi
(Excavations Crypt) reveals more mosaic floors
in varying states of preservation. Some images were destroyed or badly damaged by the
erection of the basilica's 73m-high
bell tower
, built in 1030 with stones from the Roman
amphitheatre.
CHURCH
Roman Ruins
Scattered remnants of the Roman town include extensive ruins of the
Porto Fluviale
(River
Port; Via Sacra; 8.30am-1hr before sunset)
, the old port, which once linked the settlement to
the sea. It's also possible to wander among the partially restored remains of houses, roads
and the standing columns of the ancient
Forum
on Via Giulia Augusta.
Guided tours of the extraordinary Roman sights are organised by the
tourist office
(
0431 91 94 91;
ROMAN SITE
9am-7pm summer, 9am-1pm & 2-6pm winter)
, otherwise, wander at will.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale
( 0431 9 10 16;
www.museoarcheo-aquileia.it
; Via Roma 1; adult/reduced €4/2; 8.30am-7.30pm
Tue-Sun)
There is a daunting number of statues, pottery, glassware and jewellery - all loc-
ally excavated - displayed in this museum, representing one of northern Italy's most im-
portant collections of Roman-era treasures.
MUSEUM
Museo Paleocristiano
MUSEUM
