Basilica of Aquileia

Where: Aquileia
Best for: Fourth-century mosaic floor
Allow: 1 hr 30 min
Tickets: From €12; Checked January 2026

The Basilica of Aquileia grew from an early Christian community that was already worshiping here immediately after 313, and it preserves the mosaic floor of the Theodorian church of the early fourth century, about 700 square meters of scenes, from the Good Shepherd to fishermen, that is the largest early Christian mosaic floor of the Western world.

The building you see is mainly eleventh century and later, Romanesque and Gothic, with a 73-meter bell tower, and beneath the altar area a ninth-century crypt with frescoes. It is a distinct religious component within the wider UNESCO property Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia, inscribed in 1998, and not a separately inscribed site. Glass walkways let you look down onto the older floor.

Sources and citations (2)

UNESCO World Heritage CentreArchaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of AquileiaProperty identity and criteriaRead source
Basilica di AquileiaLa storiaLe Fasi Storiche della BasilicaRead source

Five things worth finding

If you see nothing else, see these.

The mosaic floorEarly fourth century
About 700 square meters of scenes, the largest early Christian mosaic floor in the Western world.Below the glass walkways
The Jonah scenesTheodorian mosaic
Jonah and the sea creature appear among fishermen and boats, a lively biblical story set in a real lagoon.In the mosaic floor
The Crypt of the FrescoesTwelfth-century frescoes, ninth-century crypt
Byzantine-style frescoes in a small crypt, one of the most intimate corners of the basilica.Beneath the altar area
The Holy SepulchreEleventh century
A small shrine modeled on the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.Inside the basilica
The bell towerBuilt with Roman stone
At 73 meters it dominates the plain, built from blocks from the Roman amphitheater.Piazza Capitolo

Plan your visit

Everything you need before you go.

Tickets: From €12
Booking: No booking needed
Time needed: 1 hr 30 min
Best time: Late morning, when daylight crosses the mosaic floor
Getting there: The basilica is in the middle of the small town of Aquileia, reached by car from Udine or Grado, or by regional bus from Cervignano del Friuli railway station. The archaeological area is close enough to explore on foot.
Accessibility: Visitors with disabilities and a companion enter free; the foundation runs a dedicated accessibility page, so contact it in advance for step-free routes.

The single ticket (€12) covers the basilica with its mosaics and crypts, the Baptistery and Süd Halle, the Episcopal Palace domus and the Domus of Tito Macro. Free for under-18s, residents of Aquileia, visitors with disabilities and a companion, and holders of the FVG Card. Dress modestly; visits pause during services. Last updated January 2026. Prices change, so check the official site before you go.

Look down before you look up: the glass walkways show the mosaic floor of the older church beneath the nave, and it is easy to head straight for the crypt frescoes.

Official website

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