Aquileia

Description

The city of Aquileia (UD) is famous for its exceptional archaeological area, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Colonized in 181 BCE in agro gallorum, Aquileia arose as an outpost for the Roman conquest of the Danube and a defensive bulwark for the Eastern borders as the burgeoning trade between the Eastern Mediterranean and countries beyond the Alps increased.
Excavations revealed the remains of the Roman forum and a basilica, a burial area, mosaic flooring and the foundations of houses (fondi Cal and ex Cossar), statues on a via Sacra, markets, ancient walls, river harbour, huge mausoleum and much more.
The splendid Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta on ancient piazza Capitolo was built over a 4^th century building with numerous extensions and adaptations carried out in the following centuries (mostly destroyed during the later Barbarian invasions). The famous early Christian mosaics (4^th century) in the temple are considered a key phase in the history of Italian art.

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