Aquileia Roman Town
We visited Aquileia on Tuesday 10th June 2008. Aquileia was an important Roman town, being a colonia and a busy port. Although not situated on the coast, it was connected to the sea by river and canal. It was founded in 181BC when the area came under the aegis of the expanding Roman republic.
Under Roman law all burials had to be outside the city, so tombs and mausoleums were built lining the roads leading to the city. Here are a few photographs of some found at Aquileia.
The Forum has been excavated and also some of the surrounding area including one of the roads.
In 313AD the Edict of Milan gave religious freedom to Christians and the first church was built in Aquileia. The later church shown was built over the older church but, during the 20th century, the original mosaic floor was found about 3 feet below the current floor. The whole ancient floor has now been exposed and can be seen today under the glass floor on which we walk. The current church was built about 1000AD and has been continuously changed and updated over the centuries.
Outside of church Internal - see floor An original Roman column in the gardens around the church.
There were residential houses but these have not survived above the foundations. What have survived in the higher quality houses are many of the mosaics. Some of these have been conserved in their original position and some have been lifted and displayed in the museum.
Mosaic on house floor Harbour area Market areas Thought to be early Christian oratories
Mosaic Portrait in museum Odd pieces laid between a row of trees (sarcophagi, statuary, column pieces)