Guida della Basilica patriarcale di 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.

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

Founded in 313 by Bishop Teodoro with the direct support of Emperor Constantine, the buildings known as the Theodosian 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, vast Roman granaries that certainly stood in the area near the basilica), whose perimeter walls were presumably reused. The two parallel halls (both about 37×20 m) were connected by a 29×13 m vestibule, next to which was the first baptistery. Both halls were apseless, with six columns supporting a richly decorated coffered ceiling and flooring constituted by an extraordinary mosaic complex. The northern hall probably constituted the actual church, while the southern one (located where the current basilica stands) was a catechumenate, a place where catechumens received Christian instruction and prepared to join the community.

The next phase of the basilica dates to the mid-4th century, during the time of Bishop Fortunaziano, with the enlargement of the northern hall (73×31 m) and the creation of new rooms. The large basilica, divided into three naves by twenty-eight columns and lacking an apse, was connected through the baptistery to the catechumenate and preceded by a large atrium (according to a scheme also found in the contemporary complex of Trier).

The expansion of the southern hall to 65×29 m (with the construction of the current facade) and the construction of new buildings, including the current baptistery, are attributed to Bishop Cromazio (388-407). The period of maximum splendor of the patriarchate of Aquileia dates to these years (the large Monastery complex, home to a large female monastic community, is from the same era). The great prosperity of the years following the council of Aquileia was abruptly interrupted in 452 when the Huns, led by Attila, devastated the city and massacred its population.

The northern basilica, burned during the sack, was never rebuilt. The great urban construction sites were abandoned and the city population drastically reduced. Only in the 9th century did Patriarch Massenzio, thanks to the support of Charlemagne, begin the restoration of the ancient buildings.

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

In 988 an earthquake caused extensive damage, leading Patriarch Poppone in 1031 to carry out a radical restoration of the complex in Romanesque forms, rich in Carolingian-Ottonian influences. Poppone’s extensive building program, a sign of the new economic prosperity of the city, 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 that dominates the Friulian countryside (built in opus quadratum, with massive marble blocks from the ancient amphitheater) inspired, it is said, by the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria and a model for many subsequent bell towers.

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

The last major intervention dates back to the 16th century, when Venetian artisans and carpenters were called to create the grand wooden ceiling that can still be seen 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 entrance of the basilica is the Holy Sepulchre, an 11th-century structure reproducing the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, as described by ancient medieval chronicles. The structure was used during Holy Week liturgy.

Mosaics of the Basilica of Aquileia

The main depictions on 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 Solomon’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 is represented Jesus as the Good Shepherd in a pose 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 perched on branches, and storks.

In the third bay, where the altar was once located, in the central panel the allegorical scene of Winged Victory with crown and palm can be seen. The meaning is of great importance for the early Christian church, which emerged victorious and actually became, after the edict of Constantine, the principal 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, a Hebrew prophet sent by God to preach in the city of Nineveh in Mesopotamia. Jonah had opposed and fled on a Phoenician ship; cast into the sea by 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 with the resurrection of the dead.

World War I Fallen Cemetery

Outside behind the Basilica is the cemetery of the fallen of the 1915-1918 war, where ten of the eleven unknown soldiers rest, among whom Maria Bergamas, mother of a volunteer war fallen, 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 grenade on the slopes of Hermada.

Basilica of Aquileia Opening Hours

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 1: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Closures: December 25 afternoon

January 6 from 2:00 PM to about 3:30 PM for the Blessing of the Children

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

During all parish religious ceremonies not scheduled on the calendar (funerals, weddings or special ceremonies) closing 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony

Aquileia Bell Tower Hours

From April 1 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

Tickets Basilica of Aquileia

Entrance to the Basilica with the Crypt of the Frescoes

FULL: € 3.00 per person
REDUCED: € 2.50 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)
SCHOOL REDUCED: € 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: € 5.00 per person
REDUCED: € 4.00 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)
SCHOOL GROUPS: € 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: € 2.00 per person
GROUP AND SCHOOL REDUCED: € 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: € 5.00 per person
REDUCED: € 4.00 per person (valid for groups of at least 15 people)
SCHOOL GROUPS: € 2.00 per person (valid for groups of lower and upper secondary schools of at least 15 people)

Domus and Episcopal Palace

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

Basilica Complex (suspended during autumn and winter period)

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

FULL: € 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. The ticket offices close half an hour before the closing time of the Basilica.

Free Admission

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