The Paleo-Christian Basilica at Aquileia

Early Morning view of Basilica and Bell Tower

Baptistery

Front of Basilica and it's adjoined Baptistery.

In spite of it's Gothic and Romanesque look, the Patriarchal Basilica of the Virgin and the Saints Hermagorus & Fortunatus, contains the largest and most ancient mosaic floor of the Paleo-Christian era. In 313, soon after the proclamation of the edict of Milan, by Constantine, the then Bishop, Theodore, bought the land and started the construction of a large, complex. four halled church, which is well explained by G. Brumat Dellasorte, (2005, p. 58-61, plans 1-7). It is amazing that the floor of this complex, not only survived, but is now visible, having been largely preserved beneath subsequent alterations and rebuilds..

Portico joining Basilica to Baptistery

Detail of column supporting Portico

General overall view of mosaics

General overall view of mosaics, showing the raised walkways which have recently been installed on both sides of the nave, to stop people walking on the mosaics, as was previously done! This is the mosaic floor of the Southern Hall of Theodore (G. Brumat Dellasorte, 2006, plan 2)

The Mosaic dedication Script below the Constantinian Chi Rho shows the following Latin text, translated as: Happy Theodore, that the aid of Almighty God and the flock he has entrusted to you has enabled you to build this church and triumphantly to consecrate it.

A view of the eastern end, with its geometric character.

Next. towards the middle, the design changes to an alternation of roundels containing donor Heads, together with fish and birds in foliage.

There are also areas of four footed animals, horses, & deer

four footed animals, horses, & deer

Together with more figurative panels

Hawking & other activities

The 'Good Shepherd'

And finally the 'Good Shepherd' as a stand alone panel.

At the far Western end, the mosaic becomes more figurative. It displays a fishing scene. A sea. full of fish of all types, wirh at it's surface, boats with small groups of fishermen. Thes are often well dressed and bear small sets of Wings! They are12 in number and are thought to represent the Apostles, fishing for the souls of men represented by the fish! (G. Brumat Dellasorte, 2005, p. 73).

Detail of fishing activity, showing the range of fish, including an octopus!

On the left of the main entrance to the Basilica, there is doorway into the excavations, which have exposed the mosaic floor of Theodore's Northern hall, some of the intervening buildings as well as remains of the earlier house and buildings on the site before construction of the church. These are now preserved underground and wind their way arround the foundations of the 10th century bell tower (G. Brumat Dellasorte, 2006, plans 1-3 )

The superb mosaics found adjacent to the foundations of the Bell Tower, visible on the bottom right of the image. Visible a bird in foliage, a reclining ?Mule, a Ram (with inscription "Live, Cyriac!") and the famous Cock & Tortoise.

Different levels present in excavtion, the upper level with column is 10th century, the bottom Augustan age, the middle the time of Theodore.

The final part of our visit was to the Baptistery, which, as seen today, dates back to the ninth century (G. Brumat Dellasorte, 2005, p. 78 & plan 2). This is at least the second Baptistery, as the first one of Theodore, was to be found between the North and South church buildings.

General view of Font.

General view of font, showing columns that undoubtedly supported a canopy

Interior of font

Close up of interior of font, showing the drain hole

G. Brumat Dellasorte, 2005. Aquileia and San Canzian, pp. 96, Figs. 150. Storti Edizione, Venezei

The Paleo-Christian Basilica at Aquileia, Northern Italy