Page 170 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

168 І NOR THEAST IT AL Y

craftsmanship that flourished in
the city from the 2nd century AD.
Additional examples of
mosaics and stone carvings
from the 1st to 3rd centuries
are on display in this museum,
together with glass, amber and
a collection of flies, beautifully
worked in gold, that formed
the adornment of a Roman
matron’s veil.

E Museo Paleocristiano
Località Monastero. Tel 0431 911 31.
Open 8:30am–1:45pm Thu. 7 ^
This museum, which stands
not far from Aquileia’s ancient
The attractive harbourside at Grado, along the coast south of Aquileia harbour beside the once-
navigable River Natissa, focuses
o Aquileia T Basilica on the development of art
Piazza Capitolo. Tel 0431 91 97 19. Open during the early Christian era.
* 3,300. @ n Via Julia Augusta daily. Closed during Mass. Crypt & 7
(0431 91 94 91). ( Tue.
∑ turismofvg.it The Basilica was founded in Environs
about AD 313 and much of the South of Udine, Palmanova is
Aquileia, now little more than original structure still survives, worth a visit for its remarkable
a village but encircled by the including the floor mosaics of octagonal layout and intact walls.
ruins of palatial villas, baths, the nave and Cripta degli Scavi The town was built in 1593 by
temples and market buildings, below. The designs mix biblical the Venetians to commemorate
provides a poignant reminder stories, geometric patterns and the Battle of Lepanto.
of the lost splendour of the scenes from everyday life in Grado sits on a group of low
Roman Empire. ancient Aquileia. There is a lively islands in the middle of the
It was here that Emperor portrayal of the tale of Jonah, Adriatic lagoon, attached to the
Augustus received Herod the who was swallowed by an mainland by a narrow causeway.
Great, King of Judea, in 10 BC, extraordinary sea monster: the The town grew into a port for
and it was here, too, in AD 381, fishing boats are also surrounded Aquileia in the 2nd century and
that the early Christian church by a rich array of creatures from was used as a haven by
held a major council attended by the deep, including wide-eyed Aquileia’s citizens during the
the learned saints Ambrose and dolphins and squid. barbarian invasions. Today,
Jerome to settle doctrinal issues. Grado is a pop ular sea side resort.
In the 5th century, however, E Museo Archeologico At the centre of the old town is
the town was abandoned Nazionale the Duomo, which contains
following several sackings. Via Roma 1. Tel 0431 910 16. 6th-century frescoes in the apse,
Fortunately, substantial parts Open 8:30am–7:30pm Tue–Sun. & similar to those on the vaults of
of the early Christian Basilica 7 ^ ∑ museoarcheologico San Marco in Venice (see pp114–
have survived, which contain aquileia.beniculturali.it 17). Nearby, in the church of
the town’s particular treasure: The mosaics in the Basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie, there
ornate floor mosaics. demonstrate a tradition of are more 6th-century mosaics.
Symbolism in Early
Christian Art
Christians were persecuted
until their religion was granted
official status by Constantine
the Great in AD 313. Prior to
this they had developed a
language of secret symbols to
express their beliefs, many of
which can be seen in the The winged figure of Victory
mosaics and marble tomb holding a laurel wreath was a
chests of Aquileia. Many of Classical symbol of triumph and
these and other symbols later holiness. Later, it came to represent
found their way into popular Part of the 4th-century floor mosaic in the Christ’s resurrection and, more
bestiaries and folk art. Basilica at Aquileia generally, victory over death.

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp562–5 and pp580–84

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 12th June 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm