Porto fluviale (via Sacra)
Remains of the ancient Roman river port of Aquileia with quays, ramps and warehouses, along the promenade of the Via Sacra.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The river port of Aquileia faced the eastern side of the city, on the ancient course of the Natisone-Torre river, which at that point was almost fifty metres wide. Ships from across the Mediterranean moored there to unload and load goods bound for the city’s warehouses and streets.
The structures were uncovered in excavations of the 1930s and extend for more than 300 metres along the right bank. At the beginning of the 1st century AD the port was rebuilt with new quays of large limestone blocks and a long warehouse building behind them, linked to the ramps and sloping planes that connected the quay with the city roads. In the Constantinian period the area underwent further changes.
In the 4th century new walls, almost three metres thick, were built over the quays; together with the gradual narrowing of the river bed, they marked the abandonment of the landing place. Today visitors can see the quays, the mooring rings, the pavements with game boards carved by dock workers and the remains of the large warehouse.
The Via Sacra, a promenade shaded by cypress trees, was built in the same years with spoil earth from the excavations and links the port to the area of the basilica.
Highlights
- Quays of limestone slabs with interlocking blocks
- Ramps and sloping planes linking the quays to the city streets
- Mooring rings and pavements with carved game boards
- Remains of late antique walls built over the quays
- Via Sacra promenade in the shade of cypress trees
- Operated by
- Fondazione Aquileia
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Aquileia Centro
Train to Cervignano-Aquileia-Grado station, then SAF or APT bus to the “Aquileia Centro” stop.
By car: take the Palmanova exit of the A4 motorway, then SR 352 to Aquileia. The PromoTurismoFVG information point is at Via Giulia Augusta 11.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | Open-air archaeological area, which can also be visited by walking along the Via Sacra promenade; dogs are admitted on a leash. |
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