Archaeological safari and theatrical tours in Roman and early Christian Aquileia

Aquileia, in the southern part of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 and is one of the most significant centers not only in the region but also in northern Italy because of its vast archaeological area and splendid floor mosaics still visible. It was indeed an important city of the Roman Empire, founded in 181 B.C., capital of the 10th Augustan region and, above all, the main center for the spread of Christianity in Northern and Eastern Europe. Visiting the city today is therefore a journey into ancient history that takes us back more than two thousand years.

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption houses the largest and best-known floor mosaic, dating back to the fourth century: it is the largest in the Western Christian world (in fact, it covers 750 square meters) and is dedicated to the story of Jonah, magnificently rich in paticulars and details still visible today. The mosaic covered the Basilica’s two large halls of worship. Also worth seeing is the excavation crypt, where mosaics can still be seen around the foundations of the bell tower erected in the early 11th century. On the other hand, the crypt of frescoes, which constitute a special dialogue between the Christian arts of East and West, dates back to the 9th century.

The mosaic finds from the Roman and early Christian periods make Aquileia the Roman mosaic capital of the West.

In addition to the Basilica with its archaeological and mosaic treasures and its Baptistery, the latter dating from the late 4th or early 5th century, Aquileia has two important museums also in the archaeological field, namely the National Early Christian Museum and the National Archaeological Museum. The former is located on the remains of an ancient early Christian basilica and it is possible to admire the mosaic floor; inside it it also holds significant mosaic remains of a second basilica that is no longer visible. The mosaics also testify to the close relationship between ancient Aquileia and the rest of the Mediterranean, especially with North Africa and the East.

The National Archaeological Museum, on the other hand, tells the story ofancient Aquileia, an important city linked to the Mediterranean and trade. The archaeological collection housed here comes from more than two centuries of excavations and discoveries. Visiting the museum venue provides an opportunity to understand what the ancient Roman metropolis was like, its daily life, and its productive and commercial activities. Thanks to its trade, in fact, Aquileia became a cosmopolitan city, where people of different languages and religions met: it is all documented in the museum through inscriptions, funerary stelae, portraits, sculptures and artifacts. The southern hall of the Baptistery, known as the Südhalle, preserves a magnificent floor mosaic and the precious peacock mosaic that originally decorated the apse of the narthex, the passageway leading from the Baptistery to the Basilica.

In July and August PromoTurismoFVG organizes special guided tours to discoverarchaeological Aquileia. The Archaeological Safari is proposed as a multisensory itinerary that will turn young visitors into young explorers, making them experience modern archaeological adventures. Through an archaeological safari in stages, children will arrive following an ancient map near the river port, the Basilica and the excavations: each of these places in the city will be linked to a challenge, an activity, a game that will engage the little archaeologists creatively and playfully. Parents will have the opportunity to play with their children or follow the same route with a tour guide. The experience will become a family tour with a traveling workshop.

The Archaeological Safari will be offered on July 25 at 4 p.m. and Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27 at 10:30 a.m. The tour will last about two hours and will start from the PromoTurismoFVG Infopoint in Aquileia, Via Iulia Augusta, 11. The expected cost per person is 15 euros, with admission to the basilica excluded (free with FVG Card and 50 percent discount for the whole family with Family Card; free for children under 12).

Aquileia’s UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites will become the stage for a true journey through time thanks to theatricalized tours during which, accompanied by licensed tour guides, visitors will meet a number of historical figures from Roman Aquileia, such as a well-known matron, Emperor Octavian Augustus and Titus Annius, one of the city’s founders, who will bring their stories to life by taking visitors back in time. The theatricalized tours are organized by the non-profit Radio Magica Foundation and will be held on July 25 at 10 a.m., Aug. 1 and 29 at 10 a.m., Sept. 5 and 26 at 3 p.m., and Oct. 3 and 31 at 10 a.m. To participate, reservations are required at the PromoTurismoFVG Infopoint in Aquileia. The visit will last about two hours and the expected cost is 15 euros per person (free for children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult and FVG Card holders; 50 percent discount for the whole family with the Family Card).

Image: Interior of the Basilica of Aquileia. Ph. Credit Gianluca Baronchelli

Archaeological safari and theatrical tours in Roman and early Christian Aquileia

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.