The Basilica of Aquileia is a mix of different styles – Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance – as a result of the many refurbishments effected. Initially erected over a building of the 4^th century, the church was subsequently enlarged many times. The present structure is basically the one which was consecrated in 1031 by the Patriarch Poppo, once completed the changes ordered by him, such as erection of the perimeter walls, renovation of the capitals, frescoing the apsis, and, finally, building the imposing bell tower, 73 meters high.  You can climb the internal stairs up to the belfry, and enjoy an amazing sight encompassing from the Alpine foothills down to the lagoon of Grado.
The real masterwork of the Basilica is the mosaic floor, the largest ever found in Europe, coeval to the first building,  i.e. approximately the 4^th century.  Several Christian symbolic subjects represent Life overcoming Death.
Close to the Basilica are located the so-called Chiesa dei pagani, the Church of the Pagans, and the Baptistery.
Noteworthy is the Cripta degli Affreschi,  the Crypt of the Frescoes, allegedly dated back to the 12^th century, and located underneath the presbytery.  The early layout was a square hall, composed of  three naves –  several capitals are still visible – and was built during the restoration ordered by the Patriarch Maxentius, about early 9^th century. At the times of Patriarch Poppo  – 11^th century – the apse was finally added, so  the building  achieved the structure that we can now admire.
The so-called Holy Sepulchre, already  present in the Church since the end of the 11^th century, reproduces  the real one erected  in Jerusalem.
Aside the Basilica, in the area of the Bell Tower,  there is a large underground hall, which was  obtained from the archaeological excavations operated at the beginning of the 20^th century, and therefore  named Cripta degli Scavi.
Along the itinerary of this visit it is possible to admire the mosaics belonging to the relics of the Early-Christian Basilica , around mid 4^th century, of the first nucleus erected by Theodorus and also to ancient roman houses previously erected.

Very special attention deserve some symbols here depicted. The most significant of these is the scene of  the rooster and the tortoise, representing the eternal fight of light against obscurity.
Inside this area were marked out the foundations of  the Tower of Poppo,  the bell tower now dominating over piazza Capitolo.  Here were found some relevant mosaics, which will be displayed in the Museum of the Bell Tower.
Outside the apse of the Basilica, you can visit the Cemetery of the Fallen of WWI. Here are buried ten of the eleven unknown soldiers among whom Maria Bergamas, mother of a deceased volunteer soldier, chose the mortal remains to be laid to rest in the Altare della Patria, in Rome, in 1921.

Site of the Museum