Aquileia: In the Footsteps of Antiquity
The city of Aquileia is located in northeastern Italy, near the coast of the Adriatic Sea, approximately ten kilometres west of the port city of Grado. Today it appears modest, but in ancient times it was one of the largest and most influential cities of the Roman Empire. Aquileia became the second-largest and most important city of the Roman Empire.
In the 2nd century AD, approximately 100,000 inhabitants lived here; the city had its port, forum, amphitheatre, and mint. Today, Aquileia is a small municipality, but at the same time, one of the largest archaeological sites in northern Italy, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Foundation of the City
There is an old legend that says that at the founding of the city, precisely at the plowing of the first furrow (“sulcus primigenius”), an eagle (Latin aquila) appeared in the sky. This symbol of the eagle is depicted on a relief from the time of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, which can be seen in the local Archaeological Museum and which commemorates the significant founding of the city.
Aquileia was founded in 181 BC as a Roman colony and fortress. It was located at the end of the amber road, which led from the Baltic through the Alps, and at the confluence of the then river branches, Natissa and Torre. It soon became an important trading centre connected by a network of Roman roads. From Aquileia, roads led south to Bologna, west to Genoa, and northeast through the Alps to Noricum and Pannonia.
The city was not only an administrative and military point but also an important commercial and craft hub. Local glassmakers, blacksmiths, and merchants took advantage of the strategic location and proximity to the port. In the 4th century, Aquileia was the seat of a metropolitan and played a significant role in the spread of Christianity.

Notable Personalities
Among the notable personalities who stayed in Aquileia were Julius Caesar, who wintered here with his legions during the Gallic Wars from 59–56 BC, Emperor Augustus, who elevated the city to the main seat of the province of Venetia et Histria, and Marcus Aurelius, who resided here during the Marcomannic Wars in 168 AD and commanded his troops.
At the height of its prosperity, especially in the 2nd century AD, Aquileia had more than 100,000 inhabitants and was one of the largest cities of the Roman Empire, often referred to as “Roma secunda” (the second Rome).
Decline and Legacy
Aquileia experienced repeated attacks. In 452, it was plundered by Attila. The city was largely destroyed, and many inhabitants moved to the lagoons, where the cities of Grado and Venice later emerged. Nevertheless, Aquileia was partially rebuilt.


Archaeological Monuments and Urbanism
Ancient Aquileia was planned according to the Roman urban model with the main axis cardo Maximus, and the decumanus. The western part of the city was used for residential and public buildings, the eastern part for warehouses and agriculture. The city had a forum, baths, a curia, a market, and extensive cemeteries along the access roads.
From the preserved monuments, one can see the foundations of the harbour, the amphitheatre, the forum, parts of collonaded passages, and many sculptural fragments. The mosaics and tomb structures are also significant, testifying to the social status of the city’s inhabitants.
Aquileia is ideal for a peaceful day spent outdoors, among excavations, paths, and landscapes that bear traces of several epochs.



Basilica of St. Hermagoras and Fortunatus
The city’s landmark is the basilica with a massive bell tower and especially with a unique floor mosaic from the early 4th century, covering an area of 750 m². It depicts biblical motifs and symbolic scenes from the lives of early Christians. In the crypt, frescoes from the 9th century are preserved.
Statue of the She-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus
In front of the basilica in Aquileia stands a statue of the she-wolf nursing the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. This statue is not an original but a symbol of the city’s Roman heritage, strongly referencing its ancient roots and connection to Roman civilisation.
River Port (Porto Fluviale)
Aquileia had its river port (Porto Fluviale) on the now-defunct branch of the Natissa River. At that time, it reached a width of up to 48 meters and was lined on both sides by a wide quay. Under Emperor Claudius, it underwent significant reconstruction.
At that time, the main flow of the Natissa River, up to 48 meters wide, flowed through here, with banks on both sides lined with a quay designed for loading goods. The port stood on a branch that no longer exists, but its former appearance is still readable in the terrain.
The preserved stone retaining walls, remnants of ramps and anchoring devices, as well as the foundations of storage buildings, hint at the once-busy operation. Today, the place feels quiet, almost forgotten – only a narrow stream reminds of the river that once connected inland provinces with the ports of the Adriatic Sea.


Cemetery of the Fallen – Cimitero degli Eroi
Near the archaeological site is the Cemetery of Heroes (Cimitero degli Eroi), a military cemetery dedicated to the fallen soldiers of World War I. This space commemorates the sacrifices that the city and its surroundings underwent during the war years.
In the cemetery stands an impressive bronze statue, “Il Sacrificio” (“The Sacrifice”) by Ettore Ximenes from 1917. The statue depicts a female figure in the typical attire of a Red Cross nurse, the so-called “Angel of Love,” supporting a fallen soldier with outstretched arms, evoking the symbol of the cross. This monument represents a profound symbol of sacrifice, human care, and bravery in difficult times.
The statue and the cemetery are an integral part of the historical context of Aquileia and bring an important dimension of remembrance of wartime suffering to the city’s story.




Archaeological Museum
The museum in Aquileia houses an extensive collection of Roman artefacts – statues, inscriptions, mosaics, glass, and everyday objects. Together with a smaller paleo-Christian museum in the former Benedictine monastery, it offers a good overview of the city’s development.
Practical Information for Visitors
- Admission: The basilica is partially freely accessible, and admission is charged for the mosaics and crypt. The archaeological area is freely accessible, but the museum is charged.
- Recommended visit duration: at least half a day, ideally a whole day.
- Nature of the visit: Most of the monuments are outdoors – paths, lawns, gravel roads. The total circuit can be 3–5 km of walking.
- Transport: Easily accessible by car, with plenty of parking spaces with meters. About 10 minutes from Grado, 40 minutes from Udine.
Accessibility and Transport
Aquileia is easily accessible by car – it is only a 10-minute drive from the coastal town of Grado, about 40 minutes from Udine, and about an hour from Trieste. Parking is mostly free, with the main parking lot right by the basilica.
For cyclists, the city is very well accessible via marked routes. Aquileia is located directly on the Alpe Adria Cycle Path (Ciclovia Alpe Adria Radweg), which runs from Salzburg, Austria, to Grado. The route is suitable for recreational cyclists and is equipped with rest areas, signage, and services along the way.

By Bike from Cervignano to Grado (27 km)
If you are looking for a relaxing bike route that combines history, nature, and the sea, then this choice is ideal.
The route from Cervignano del Friuli to Grado follows the marked FVG1 cycle path, which is part of the international Ciclovia Alpe Adria route. The entire section is completely flat, suitable even for less experienced cyclists or families with children.
Immediately after leaving Cervignano, you head through a peaceful rural landscape to Aquileia – a city with a thousand-year history. We recommend stopping at the basilica with early Christian mosaics, walking around the Roman port, and visiting the World War I military cemetery. All are just a few steps from the trail.
Beyond Aquileia, the landscape opens into a lagoon area – the last few kilometres you will ride on an elevated embankment between reeds, water surfaces, and with a view of the sea. The journey ends in Grado, a port town with a pleasant atmosphere, a historic centre, and beaches where you can end the trip with relaxation or swimming.
Distance: 27 km
Riding time: approx. 2–2.5 hours (including stops)
Attractions: Basilica, Roman excavations, sea lagoons