THE BASILICA OF AQUILEIA, IN THE TOWN OF THE HOMONY IN THE PROVINCE OF UDINE, IN FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA, A JEWEL OF EARLY CHRISTIAN HISTORY AND HAS BEEN A UNESCO SITE SINCE 1998. BUILT SHORTLY AFTER THE EDICT OF CONSTANTINE IN 313 AD, THIS BASILICA IS NOT ONLY AN EXTRAORDINARY MONUMENT ARTISTIC BEAUTY AND SPIRITUAL VALUE, BUT ALSO A SYMBOL OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. AFTER TWO YEARS OF RESEARCH AND INTERVENTIONS, THANKS TO THE PROJECT “BASILICA OF AQUILEIA FOR ALL”, THIS SACRED PLACE BECOMES A MODEL OF INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY IN EUROPE, MAKING IT USABLE TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING VISITORS WITH SENSORY, MOTOR AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES
The Basilica of Aquileia: emblem of early Christian history and art
The city of Aquileiain Friuli Venezia Giulia in the province of Udine, is one of the places richest in history and spirituality in northern Italy. Founded by the Romans in 181 BC, the city was a strategic trade center for the Roman Empire and a crucial point for the spread of Christianity.
Its location made it a crossroads of cultures and influences, and religious importance grew to the point that, over time, it became the seat of a patriarchy. Today, Aquileia preserves extraordinary evidence of this past, including a vast archaeological area that houses the remains of the Roman forum, necropolises, and an ancient river port.
However, it is the Patriarchal Basilica the heart of the city, an exceptional monument that represents one of the most eloquent symbols of the early Christian faith.
Built shortly after the Edict of Constantine in 313 AD, which guaranteed freedom of worship to Christians, the Basilica of Aquileia was built to celebrate and affirm Christian worship. This place, declared site UNESCO in 1998, it is today not only a monument of great historical value, but an example of early Christian architecture and art that has stood the test of time.
Art and beauty: the early Christian mosaic
One of the most famous elements of the Basilica is its extraordinary early Christian flooring, which extends for over 760 square meters. This decorated surface represents one of the largest and most complex examples of mosaic art of the time and has few comparisons in Europe.
The depictions represent biblical and symbolic scenes, with animals, plants and figures that refer to spiritual life and the profound meanings of Christianity. Among the best-known images are fish, peacocks, lambs and dolphins, all symbols of rebirth and faith. The technical mastery and the depth of the religious themes expressed in these works make this flooring an artistic and spiritual heritage of inestimable value.
Curiosities and symbolism of the Basilica
In addition to its incomparable artistic value, the Basilica of Aquileia is a place steeped in religious symbols, mysterious stories and legends that accentuate its spiritual charm. This monument, founded at the origins of Christianity, represents an authentic symbol of faith, witness to centuries of history, prayer and devotion.
Since its construction, the building has faced destruction and rebirth, especially during the barbarian invasions, but the communities have always rebuilt and restored it, preserving its spiritual and cultural value.
Legends linked to the Basilica say that the first Christians frequented this place, using it as a secret refuge to pray during persecutions. Another detail that makes the Basilica unique is the Solomon’s knota decorative motif with a profound symbolic value that represents the intertwining of the divine and the human, an image that evokes the concept of eternity and continuity of faith.
This drawing was also reproduced on a typhoid panel donated by Ravenna Mosaic Groupa special creation that allows visitors blind to tactilely explore the layering and details of the original mosaic decoration.
Thanks to this panel, blind visitors can perceive the reliefs and shapes of Solomon’s Knot, an opportunity that goes beyond visual observation and offers a profound sensorial connection with the artistic heritage of the Basilica.
But let’s delve deeper into the question.
A model of inclusiveness
This place of worship has become one of the forty Italian cultural sites inclusive for people with intellectual disabilities and one of the few to guarantee complete access to all types of disabilities. Specifically, the “Basilica of Aquileia for all” project, in collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regionwas born with the aim of making this historic place accessible also to people with sensory, motor and cognitive disabilities, broadening the visiting experience.
Tactile panels, wheelchairs and video guides in Italian Sign Language (LIS), which will be available by the end of 2024, allow everyone to immerse themselves in the historical and artistic wonders of the Basilica. Furthermore, video guides subtitled for the hearing impaired and audio described for the blind further expand accessibility.
Andrea Bellavitedirector of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Basilica, declared that the initiative was born to “give anyone the opportunity to appreciate the extraordinary heritage of the Basilica, without barriers”.
This objective involved numerous interventions. In fact, the architectural barriers that prevented access to various areas of the Basilica have been removed, with the exception of the Crypt and the Baptistery. Furthermore, to facilitate the visit for those who need it, wheelchairs have been made available.
Audio and video courses for people with hearing disabilities
In addition to the typhlodidactic panel of “Solomon’s Knot”experts have created a three-dimensional tactile model of the Basilica in collaboration with theFrancesco Cavazza Institute for the Blind of Bologna, which allows visitors to explore the architecture of the building through touch.
To improve the visual experience of the mosaic works, the experts transposed the mosaics into relief drawings using the PIAF (Picture in a Flash) technique. This methodology synthesizes the original images, offering a clear and accessible representation even to those who cannot see. And it doesn’t end here.
Another area of the project concerned accessibility for people with hearing disabilities. Thanks to the collaboration with the National Board of the Deaf, video guides have been created in Italian Sign Language (LIS), complete with subtitles and audio descriptions for the blind.
Available by the end of 2024, the guides will allow an in-depth and engaging visit even for those who cannot hear traditional explanations. Visitors can access this digital content via QR codes scattered throughout the Basilica or by downloading a dedicated app, designed to be fully accessible.
Inclusive guides for people with cognitive disabilities
One of the most innovative components of the project is the creation of guides intended for people with cognitive disabilities, created in collaboration with Il Museo per tutti – L’Abilità Onlus.
These, available in both paper and digital format, are designed to offer preparation for the visit in facilitated languages, such as Augmentative Alternative Communication (CAA) and theEasy Reading. Thanks to these formats, visitors with cognitive disabilities will be able to understand the stories and symbols represented in the early Christian mosaics.
Aquileia: a place of history, art and culture
Aquileia is not only an archaeological and religious site, but also a town rich in culture and history, with a past that has seen a succession of peoples and traditions. In addition to the Basilica, the area is home to numerous attractions, such as the National Archaeological Museumwhere Roman and early Christian finds of extraordinary beauty are preserved.
The ruins of the Roman forum and the ancient river port testify to the historical importance of this city, which in Roman times was a crossroads of cultures and trade. The city itself is immersed in a natural context of great charm, between the waters of the Grado lagoon and the green Friulian plains: an ideal destination for those seeking an experience that combines culture and nature.