Built as a military settlement by the Romans in 181BC, Aquileia became an important commercial center because of its road network and large river docks. Aquileia has been known for the production of glass, amber and gem stones since the times of the Roman Empire. The symbol of Aquileia has to be the Abbey, the first Christian monument to be erected in Aquileia built by the Bishop Teodoro in 313 AC. Museums to visit include the National Archaeological Museum, the Paleochristian Museum and the Civic Patriarchate Museum. In connection with the importance of the town in Roman times, and sites visitors should not miss the opportunity to admire, are the Foro, the Sepolcreto, the Roman Houses, the Great Mausoleum, and the River Port, the ancient economic heart of the town. Those with a little more time at their disposal can continue on to nearby Grado, known as the island of the sun, Cervignano and the Fortified town of Palmanova.

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Aquileia - The archaeologic area - Aquileia

Aquileia was founded in 181 b.C. by the triumvirs Publius Scipio Nasica, Caius Flaminius and Lucius Manlius Acidinus as a Roman colony. The first three thousand colonists, mainly from Sannio, occupied the area both to protect it from the invasions of Gallic tribes, and to provide the Roman army with an outpost to crush the proud hostility of the Istrian people. Soon the steady Roman territorial expansion dispensed Aquileia from its risky "front line" role in the conquest of the Eastern territories of Europe.

Aquileia Museum of Archaeology - Aquileia

The National Archaeological Museum is still situated in its originary seat, the Villa Cassis Faraone, built between 1812 and 1825. The collections are exhibited in twelve rooms distributed on three floors: they range from statues to daily life objects; the most distinguished is the gems and amber collection, luxury products of ancient Aquileia manufactures