Thanks to our friend Massimo, we can admire a few images of one of the most important and certainly the oldest basilica in north-eastern Italy.
A complex that absolutely must be visited with due attention.

A bit of history:
The basilica was first built by Bishop Theodore in the first half of the 4th century.
The basilica enjoyed its greatest splendor until 452 when Attila devastated the city, slaughtering the inhabitants and setting fire to the abbey.
The reconstruction and restoration of the old buildings began only in the first half of the 9th century.
In 988 an earthquake caused considerable damage, forcing a radical restoration in Romanesque forms.
Again due to damage from another earthquake, there was a further restoration in 1348 and the round arches were replaced with pointed arches.
The last major restoration dates back to the 15th century, when the wooden fine beamed ceiling was created.

A special feature:
it possesses the oldest Christian mosaic and in any case the largest in the western world, exceeding 760 m² in area.
Not to be forgotten are the forum, the burial ground and parts of the Roman streets.

For more info:
www.basilicadiaquileia.it/it/basilica
wikipedia: Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta
wikipedia: Aquileia
www.fondazioneaquileia.it/en