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Still visible are the city’s river port, the forum, the amphitheatre, the cemetery on the Via Annia, fortifications, and the remains of private homes, workshops and public buildings. The vast collection of objects, sculptures and other material collected during excavations is now on display at the national archaeological museum. Sculptures, mosaics, jewelry, glass, gemstones and household utensils bear witness to Aquileia’s past, forming the most coherent and complete surviving evidence for the social, economic and religious life, and artistic production of a Roman center in northern Italy. The destruction of Aquileia by Attila in A.D. 452, and then the arrival of the Lombards in A.D. 568, deprived Aquileia of its former political function, but not its religious significance. In the so-called “Dark Ages”, Aquileia became the seat of a patriarchate and a point of reference for the Christian faithful over a vast territory that extended as far as the Danube. Emblematic of this period is the magnificent early Christian basilica, rebuilt in the early eleventh century by Patriarch Poppo on the site where Bishop Theodore had founded Aquileia’s first church in A.D. 313. A tall bell tower rises beside the basilica, whose entire floor is decorated with superb fourth-century mosaics. This example of mosaic art is unique in western Christendom for the complexity of its symbolism and for its surface area. It comprises seven hundred and sixty square meters of magnificently executed Biblical scenes and is the largest such work in Europe. The Latin cross-plan church conserves other artistic treasures, such as the early Christian mosaics that came to light next to the basilica under the bell tower, depicting rural scenes and complex religious symbols. The crypt under the raised presbytery is decorated with thirteenth-century frescoes. As well as the excavation area and the national archaeological museum, visitors can also explore the interesting early Christian museum at Monastero. The road across the lagoon from Aquileia takes you to the island of Grado, a few kilometers away. Grado is famous above all as a seaside resort but also has a delightful mediaeval quarter with the charming basilicas of Santa Eufemia and Santa Maria delle Grazie, both dating from the early Middle Ages. Wineries:
This former fish farm at the edge of Marano can be reached on foot. The visitors’ center offers walks, panoramic observatories, and an education section. It is normally open all year round from Wednesday to Sunday but groups are welcome on other days of the week if they book in advance (Information: Marano local authority, tel. +39 0431 67551) Wineries Nature Festivals and events PALAZZOLO DELLO STELLAIn classical times, Palazzolo dello Stella was a major river port, as may be seen from the significant archaeological finds made in the river bed, which include two ships that sank hundreds of years ago. The town offers the parish church of Santo Stefano, the church of the Beata Vergine del Suffragio and the votive chapel of San Bartolomeo, with its fourteenth-century frescoes. The river Stella links Palazzolo to Lignano, making it the ideal starting point for an exploration of this delightful river and the Foci del Fiume Stella nature reserve, a protected zone where thousands of water fowl come to nest (access by sea only, from Lignano or Marano). Wineries Nature Festivals and events LATISANALatisana is a major center of Lower Friuli and a sort of outpost of Lignano. The municipal territory embraces Aprilia Marittima, one of the hubs of Lignano’s leisure activities with three marinas that can accommodate hundreds of boats. In the center of the town, the cathedral of San Giovanni Battista offers an altarpiece of the Baptism of Christ by Paolo Veronese (sixteenth century) and the eighteenth-century church of Sant’Antonio da Padova. Festivals and events LIGNANOLignano is Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s leading holiday resort and one of the most important on the Adriatic. Friuli’s leisure and entertainment capital includes eight kilometers of beaches with superb facilities, hotels and villas nestling in the pine groves, night clubs, discos, amusement parks and water parks, a golf course, thermal spas, with beauty and fitness centers, and eight leisure marinas with moorings for more than 5,500 boats. There are three main centers at Lignano. Sabbiadoro - which means “golden sands” - is named for the distinctive hue of its fine sandy beach, Pineta was designed in a verdant pine grove b y the architect Marcello d’Olivo, and Riviera is a green area between the beach and the estuary of the river Tagliamento Nature Festivals and events Courtesy of Movimento Turismo del Vino - Friuli Venezia Giulia
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