Guide to the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia

La patriarchal basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is the main religious building of Aquileia (UD) and the ancient cathedral church of the suppressed patriarchate of Aquileia.

The oldest remains date back to the 4th century, the current basilica was built in the 11th century and remodeled in the 13th century. It stands beside the via Sacra, overlooking the Chapter square, together with the baptistery and the imposing bell tower.

Founded in 313 by Bishop Theodore with the direct support of Emperor Constantine, the buildings known as the Theodorian halls (whose remains are still visitable in the nave of the current building and under the foundations of the bell tower) probably constitute the first public worship complex for Christians.

The halls rested on pre-existing Roman buildings (probably horrea, large Roman granaries certainly located in the area near the basilica), of which presumably the perimeter walls were reused. The two parallel halls (both about 37×20 m) were connected by a vestibule of 29×13 m, next to which was the first baptistery. Both halls were without an apse, with six columns supporting a richly decorated coffered ceiling and a floor made up of an extraordinary mosaic complex. The north hall probably constituted the actual church, while the south hall (located where the current basilica stands) was a catechumenate, a place where those to be baptized received Christian instruction and prepared to enter the community.

The subsequent phase of the basilica dates to the mid-4th century, during the time of Bishop Fortunatian, with the enlargement of the north hall (73×31 m) and the creation of new rooms. The large basilica, divided into three naves by twenty-eight columns and without an apse, was connected through the baptistery to the catechumenate and preceded by a large atrium (following a scheme also found in the contemporary complex of Trier).

The expansion of the south hall to 65×29 m (with the construction of the current facade) and the construction of new buildings, including the present baptistery, is attributed to Bishop Chromatius (388-407). These years mark the period of greatest splendor of the patriarchate of Aquileia (from the same era is the large Monastery complex, home to a large female monastic community). The great prosperity of the years following the Council of Aquileia came to an abrupt end in 452, when the Huns, led by Attila, devastated the city and massacred its population.

The northern basilica, burned during the sackings, was never rebuilt. The large city construction sites were abandoned and the urban population greatly reduced. Only in the 9th century did Patriarch Maximian, with the support of Charlemagne, begin the work of restoring the ancient buildings.

The Massenzio basilica, built from 811 onward, reuses the south hall of the old complex, adding a short transept and constructing the so-called Pagans’ church between the basilica and the baptistery.

In 988 an earthquake caused extensive damage, leading Patriarch Poppo in 1031 to carry out a radical restoration of the complex in Romanesque forms, rich with Carolingian-Ottonian influences. Poppo’s extensive building program, a sign of the city’s new economic prosperity, culminated with the construction of the great Patriarchal Palace (now destroyed) and especially a “turris celsa quod astra petit,” the imposing bell tower over 70 meters high dominating the Friulian countryside (built in opus quadratum, with massive marble blocks from the ancient amphitheater) said to be inspired by the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria and a model for many subsequent bell towers.

A new earthquake in 1348 prompted Archbishop Marquard of Randeck to carry out new restorations and replace the round arches of the central nave with pointed arches.

The last major intervention dates to the 16th century, when Venetian craftsmen and carpenters were called upon to create the grand wooden ceiling still observable today.

A community of Christians adhering to Gnosticism was present in Aquileia in the early centuries of the Christian era.
On the left near the basilica entrance is the Holy Sepulchre, an 11th-century structure that reproduces the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, as described in ancient medieval chronicles. The structure was used during the liturgy of Holy Week.

Mosaics of the Basilica of Aquileia

The main depictions of the floor can be divided into four bays, starting from the entrance.
In the first, there are various portraits of donors, crossed ellipse knots called Salomon’s knots, and animals, as well as the later addition of a panel with the fight between the rooster and the turtle, a symbolic contest between good and evil, also present in the Crypt of the excavations.

In the second bay, the portraits of both men and women enclosed in clipeus medallions are of particular interest, among which are also depictions of the seasons.

Also in the second bay, Jesus as the Good Shepherd is represented in an attitude mediated by pagan classicism, with the sheep on his shoulders, exactly like the god Mercury of the Greco-Roman world. Around, in octagonal frames, there are fish, a deer, a gazelle, various birds placed on branches, and storks.

In the third bay, where the altar used to be, the central panel shows the allegorical scene of Winged Victory with crown and palm. The meaning is of great importance for the early Christian church, which emerged victorious and effectively became, after the edict of Constantine, the main religion of the Roman Empire.

Finally, the fourth bay, which concludes the cycle of depictions, consists of a single marvelous mosaic carpet, representing a fish-filled sea, with the story of Jonah, Jewish prophet, sent by God to preach in the city of Nineveh in Mesopotamia. Jonah had opposed and fled on a Phoenician ship; thrown into the sea by the sailors and then swallowed by a sea monster, he was later spit out by the same monster on the shores of Palestine. The story of Jonah is a recurring motif in early Christian art because it is closely connected to the resurrection of the dead.

World War I Fallen Cemetery

Outside behind the Basilica is the cemetery of the fallen of the war 1915-1918, where ten of the eleven unknown soldiers rest, among whom Maria Bergamas, mother of a volunteer fallen in the war, chose the one whose mortal remains have rested at the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome since 1921. Here are also the graves of General Alessandro Ricordi of Milan, commander of the Murge Brigade, along with that of Captain Count Riccardo della Torre of Cividale, killed by the same shell on the slopes of Hermada.

Opening Hours Basilica of Aquileia

From April to September: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

March and October: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

From November to February: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

January 1st 10:00 AM 5:00 PM

Closures: December 25th afternoon

January 6th from 2:00 PM to around 3:30 PM for the Children’s Blessing

Every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

During all parish religious ceremonies not schedulable in a calendar (funerals, weddings or special ceremonies) closed 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony

Bell Tower Hours of Aquileia

From April 1st to September: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
October: Saturday and Sunday
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

November, December, January, February and March: closed

Basilica Tickets of Aquileia

Entrance to the Basilica with the Crypt of the Frescoes

FULL PRICE: € 3.00 per person
REDUCED: € 2.50 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)
SCHOOL DISCOUNT: € 1.00 per person (valid for groups of lower and upper secondary schools of at least 15 people)

Entrance to the Basilica with the Crypt of the Frescoes and the North Theodorian Hall (Excavation Crypt)

FULL PRICE: € 5.00 per person
REDUCED: € 4.00 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)
SCHOOL DISCOUNT: € 2.00 per person (valid for groups of lower and upper secondary schools of at least 15 people)

Bell Tower (open from April to September)

FULL PRICE: € 2.00 per person
GROUP AND SCHOOL DISCOUNT: € 1.00 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)

Entrance to the Cromaziana Hall, the Baptistery, and the Domus/Episcopal Palace

FULL PRICE: € 5.00 per person
REDUCED: € 4.00 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)
SCHOOL DISCOUNT: € 2.00 per person (valid for groups of lower and upper secondary schools of at least 15 people)

Domus and Episcopal Palace

FULL PRICE: € 2.00 per person
REDUCED: € 1.00 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)

Basilica Complex (suspended during autumn and winter periods)

Allows access to the Basilica with the Crypt of the Frescoes, the North Theodorian Hall (Excavation Crypt), the Baptistery with the Cromaziana Hall (Sudhalle), the Bell Tower, and the “Domus and Episcopal Palace”

FULL PRICE: € 10.00 per person
REDUCED: € 7.50 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)

Where to buy tickets for the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia

At the Basilica Shop, located in Capitolo Square no. 4, individual visitors and groups already equipped with their own microphone system can purchase various tickets. Ticket offices close half an hour before the Basilica’s closing time.

Free Entry

Residents of Aquileia
Children under 10 years old
Disabled visitors upon presentation at the Ticket Office of a disability certificate exceeding 74%. In case of non-self-sufficiency, free entry is also extended to one companion
Teachers accompanying school groups
One group leader for every 25 paying visitors
Journalists
Tour guides
Holders of the FVG CARD
FAMILY TICKET: children under 18 years free if accompanied by both paying parents (only on full-price tickets)