Aquileia is a historic city that was in the past one of the largest centers in Italy. There is an archaeological zone inscribed on the UNESCO list, where you can see monuments from Roman and early Christian times.
The city was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It was one of the strongholds that guarded the northern border of the state, and over time it turned into an important commercial center. At that time, the city was located on the seashore and it was one of the most important ports in this part of the coast. With time, as a result of silting, Aquileia was located about 10 km from the Adriatic Sea.
The dynamically developing center began to decline as a result of the barbarian invasions. Destroyed several times, it was rebuilt until the 15th century, when it fell under the Venetian rule. Today, its most important monuments come from the Roman and early Christian periods.
The archaeological zone of Aquileia, one of its greatest attractions, has been entered on the UNESCO list. It includes the former Roman forum, the remains of Roman temples and the port. A significant monument is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, the construction of which began in the 4th century. A huge mosaic floor with an area of 760 square meters comes from these times. The church owes its present appearance to several reconstructions caused by invasions and destruction.