Trieste and Miramare
Miramare castle, residence of Maximilian of Austria, and its park of rare and exotic trees, with the elegant city of Trieste.
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Guided tour
Aquileia
One of the great cities of the Roman Empire, beneath a sea of mosaics
2 to 3 hoursFriuli Venezia Giulia
Founded in 181 BC, Aquileia grew into one of the largest and richest cities of the Roman Empire, capital of the Regio X Venetia et Istria and a crossroads of trade between the Mediterranean and Central Europe. Today it is a quiet village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with much of its ancient city still sleeping under the fields.
The story
Step into the Basilica and the floor seems to move: a 4th-century mosaic carpet of around 760 square metres, the largest early Christian mosaic in the Western world. Fish, birds and fishermen surround the story of Jonah and the whale, among portraits of the people who paid for it.
Outside, the columns of the Roman forum rise among cypresses. We walk along the Via Sacra beside the old riverbed to the remains of the river port, where ships once unloaded amber, wine and oil.
In the Domus di Tito Macro, one of the largest Roman houses in northern Italy, the rooms have been brought back to life so you can picture daily life in an imperial city.
In pictures
What we'll see
- The BasilicaThe vast 4th-century mosaic floor and the crypt with its frescoes.
- The Roman forumColumns and paving stones of the ancient city's main square.
- The Via Sacra and river portA cypress-lined walk to the quays of one of the empire's busiest ports.
- Domus di Tito MacroA large Roman house, reconstructed to show how its owners lived.
A taste of Aquileia
Aquileia lies in the Friuli Aquileia wine area: try a glass of Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, and seafood from the nearby lagoon.
Ready to discover Aquileia?
Tell me your dates and group size, and I'll shape the visit around you. It can also be combined with a winery or another town on the same day.
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