Skip menu

Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta

Overview

The Patriarchal Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Aquileia (Udine) is the city's main religious building and the former cathedral church of the suppressed Patriarchate of Aquileia. Its origins date back to the 4th century, when Bishop Theodore, under the direct support of Emperor Constantine, founded two parallel halls (both measuring approximately 37x20 m) connected by a 29x13 m vestibule. Under the foundations of the bell tower, which still exist today, the oldest remains can be found. The halls, which lack an apse, had a richly decorated coffered ceiling and a floor with complex mosaics. The next phase begins with the expansion of the north hall (73x31 m) by Fortunaziano, a 4th century bishop, while the expansion of the south hall (65x29 m) and the construction of the present baptistery is attributed to Cromazio (388-407). In the 9th century, with the support of Charlemagne, Patriarch Maxentius undertook a radical restoration of the complex, followed in 1031 by Poppone's major intervention, which gave the complex a Romanesque appearance, resulting in the construction of the imposing bell tower. In the 16th century, Venetian craftsmen and carpenters created the grandiose wooden ceiling that can still be seen today. Located outside the Basilica is the cemetery of the fallen of the 1915-1918 war, where ten of the eleven unknown soldiers are resting, as well as the graves of General Alessandro Ricordi of Milan and Captain Count Riccardo della Torre of Cividale, both killed by a grenade. On the inside, the floor features various depictions, including clipeata medallions, the allegorical scene of Winged Victory and a grandiose mosaic carpet with the story of Jonah. On the left side is the Holy Sepulchre, an 11th-century structure that mimics the Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Hours

Sunday
12:00 pm-05:00 pm
Monday - Friday
10:00 am-04:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am-05:00 pm
Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta
Piazza Capitolo, 1, 33051 Aquileia UD, Italia
Call +39043191067 Website

Related articles

Museums and monuments
Cividale del Friuli: discover the Natisone Valleys

Cividale del Friuli: discover the Natisone Valleys

UNESCO
534209328

Aquileia, the Ruins and the Basilica

Sea
Lignano Sabbiadoro

Lignano Sabbiadoro

Sport
Skiing in Friuli Venezia Giulia

Skiing in Friuli Venezia Giulia

Cultural cities
1289673345

Discovering Trieste, a border city with an international soul

Art and culture
Valbruna, Friuli Venezia Giulia

Friuli Venezia Giulia: a border region nestled between sea and mountains

Spirituality
The Sanctuary of Monte Grisa in Trieste, symbol of peace and friendship between West and East

The Sanctuary of Monte Grisa in Trieste, symbol of peace and friendship between West and East

Art and culture
trieste street art

Trieste as you've never seen it: an itinerary to discover street art

Business
friuli venezia giulia digital nomads

Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the most attractive places in the world for digital nomads

Leisure
Aquasplash in Lignano Sabbiadoro: the Friulian answer to the beach holiday, packed with adrenaline and relaxation

Aquasplash in Lignano Sabbiadoro: the Friulian answer to the beach holiday, packed with adrenaline and relaxation

Museums and monuments
Public Gardens of Gorizia, in the footsteps of the heroes of the Great War

Public Gardens of Gorizia, in the footsteps of the heroes of the Great War

Sport
Tarvisio ski resort: a mountain sports paradise on the border with Austria and Slovenia

Tarvisio ski resort: a mountain sports paradise on the border with Austria and Slovenia

Sport
Canyoning-Friuli Venezia Giulia

In Friuli Venezia Giulia, canyoning across the grooves of history.

Sport
Skiarea di Piancavallo: Snow sports with sea views

Skiarea di Piancavallo: Snow sports with sea views

Leisure
Trieste Adventure Park- Friuli Venezia Giulia

Friuli Venezia Giulia: at the Trieste adventure park, holidays are high up (in a tree)

Sea
Guide to accessible beaches of Friuli Venezia Giulia

Guide to accessible beaches of Friuli Venezia Giulia

Sea
Spiaggia di Grado

Grado beach: sea, sun and an imperial climate

Food and wine
history of the cool moro friuli venezia giulia

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region by way of Renato Bosco’s pizza

Sport
sportland in friuli venezia giulia

Visit Sportland to explore the green heart of Friuli Venezia Giulia

Tours and experiences
See and experience Friuli Venezia Giulia

See and experience Friuli Venezia Giulia

Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.