esplora
This route connects Hotel Franz (Gradisca d'Isonzo) with the Alpe Adria Cycle Route (called FVG 1 in Italy), a cross-border cycle route connecting Salzburg with Villach, Udine, Aquileia and Grado.
The connecting route ends in Aquileia, a town with an exceptionally important archaeological area, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Colonised in 181 B.C. in 'agro gallorum', Aquileia arose as a bridgehead for the Roman conquest of the Danube areas and with the aim of defending the eastern borders to increase the already flourishing trade between the eastern Mediterranean basin and the transalpine countries. Excavations have uncovered remains of the Roman forum and a basilica, a burial ground, mosaic floors and house foundations, statues of the Via Sacra, markets, walls, a river port, a large mausoleum and more.
In the splendid Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, one can admire the famous early Christian mosaics (4th century). The 9th-century crypt frescoes and the beautiful mosaics in the Crypt of the Excavations are of great importance.
The National Archaeological Museum in Villa Cassis is well worth a visit. It is considered one of the major archaeological museums in northern Italy with exhibits all from Aquileia or the immediate vicinity. Noteworthy are the engraved gems, glass and ambers, but also the floor mosaics and the rich epigraphic and lapidary heritage.
ROUTES CROSSED ON THE WAY
Gradisca d'Isonzo: Viale Trieste → Via P. Zorutti → Via G. De Comelli → Via Lungh'Isonzo → Viale Trieste → Via Palmanova
Villesse: Via Monte Santo → Via Diaz → Via Roma → Via de Iacomini → Via Fossattis → Via Aquileia
Ruda: Via Gorizia → Piazza della Libertà → Via Aquileia → Via della Jevada
Villa Vicentina: Via Grado → Via Gorizia → Via Sant'Antonio
Fiumicello: Via Libertà → Via XXV Aprile → Via San Lorenzo Aquileia
