Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia

The Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia is a site in northeastern Italy preserving the remains of an important Roman city and a major early Christian basilica with surviving mosaic floors.

Key features include the extensive archaeological deposits of the Roman urban grid and public buildings, and the basilica complex whose mosaic pavements and architectural fabric document the transition to Christianity in late antiquity. Visitors encounter excavated streets, structural remains and the basilica’s stonework and mosaics.

Aquileia was founded in the Roman period and became a significant political and commercial centre of the northern Adriatic; during late antiquity it developed an important Christian episcopal seat and basilica that survive in archaeological form today.

The site is located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, in a low-lying plain near the lagoonal and coastal zone of the upper Adriatic.

• Mosaics: Aquileia preserves one of Italy's largest and best-preserved early Christian mosaic pavements within the basilica complex.

What to See #

• Roman city remains: Extensive Roman urban remains including parts of the forum area, residential blocks and public buildings that document the city's role as a major Roman centre in the northern Adriatic.
• Patriarchal Basilica: The Patriarchal Basilica, a major early Christian church complex with conserved mosaic pavements and liturgical architecture from late antiquity and the early medieval period.